Merrill D. Hughes, 83, of rural Monticello, died unexpectedly Friday-April 26, 2013 at 1:50pm at St. Elizabeth East Hospital-Lafayette. He was born Dec 31, 1929 in Owasco, to the late Arlie & Lucile Wolf Hughes. His marriage was to Mary Jo Rockhill, at the Hickory Grove Parsonage, on Oct 22, 1949, and she survives. He was a 1947 graduate of Delphi High School. He farmed in Carroll County, worked at the former Todd's Oliver Implement Dealership, the former Ranger Corp, now Delphi Products Corp in Delphi, and lastly Tri-State Cob near Delphi, for 20 years driving a semi. He was a member of the Yeoman United Methodist Church, on the building committee when they moved to their current location, longtime 4-H leader, Carroll County Soil & Water Conservation Board. He was an avid reader, enjoyed card games, especially euchre, and he and his wife were in two card clubs, water skiing and lake activities, he took flying lessons, and finished his solo flight, and loved to hunt mushrooms.

Surviving: wife-Mary Jo Hughes of Monticello; daughters: Kay & Dave Martin of Burrows; Joyce & Dale Ehlerding of Fort Wayne; sons: Allen Hughes & fiancé Brenda Thompson of Bringhurst; Kenneth & Rita Hughes on Monon; sisters: Wanda Duff of Delphi; Shirley Brummett of Brookston; brother: Ralph & Connie Hughes of Delphi; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by an infant son; a brother Max.

Services: Friends may call Tuesday from 4-8pm at Abbott Funeral Home-Delphi. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions to the Donors charity of choice . Online condolences: abbottfuneralhome@frontier.com