AUBURN – Merle W. Webber Jr., 83, of 13 Sunset St., Lewiston, died Tuesday, June 9, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Auburn, on May 24, 1926, the son of Merle Sr. and Celia A. Hartford Webber. Educated locally, he was a graduate of Lewiston High School, Class of 1944. While at LHS, he excelled at football, was All State and honored by the LHS Football Hall of Fame.

Following his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, and served for 2 years. On Sept. 13, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Muriel A. Morin, at the Basilica of Sainst Peter and Paul in Lewiston.

He entered a management training program with S.S. Kresge Department Store in Lewiston, and went on to manage stores in Troy, N.Y., Paterson, N.J., and Norristown, Pa. Upon returning to Maine, he managed The Wilson Dollar store and later owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store in Lisbon Falls.

In his later years, he was employed by the State Liquor Commission in Lisbon and Lewiston, retiring at the age of 65. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish. He was a life member of the Elks Club, and a member of United Commercial Travelers. Camping, gardening and harness racing were a few of his interests.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Muriel Webber of Lewiston; four sons, Gary and wife, Bonnie, of New Gloucester, David and girlfriend, June Cyr, of Greene, John and wife, Cathy Conlow, of Orono, and James and wife, Lee, of Turner; his daughter, Gail and husband, William Sproul, of Cumberland; two sisters, Mabel Fickett of Phoenix Ariz., and Glenys Hubbard of New Port Ritchey, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Brandon, and a daughter-in-law, Irene Chenard Webber.

He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

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