Merritt O. Bye, age 89, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. 

            Merritt was born on April 19, 1932, in Portland, the son of Cecil and Iris E (Labig) Bye.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean Conflict.  He retired from Teledyne Portland Forge in 1995 after 30 years of service.  Merritt was a member of New Covenant Fellowship Church.   Merritt married Mary Lu Bailey on October 18, 1953 and she passed away on May 19, 2016.  He later married Dorothy (Reynolds) Watkins on June 9, 2019. 

            Survivors include:

            His wife and sweetheart:  Dorothy Bye – Portland

            1 son:  Rodney Bye (wife Kim) – Portland

            2 daughters:  Kim Williams (husband Dan) – Celina, Ohio

                                 Stacy Newton – Portland

            2 step-daughters:  Barbara Nichols (husband Chris) – Coushatta, Louisiana

                                         Sharon Watkins Crockett (husband Kraig) – Celina, Ohio

            2 sisters:  Lois June Woodard – Albany

                            Marilyn Sue Cummings – Portland

           Daughter-in-law:  Patty Bye - Portland, Indiana 

            13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great grandchildren. 

            He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lu Bye, a son; Terry Bye, his sisters; Judy Smitley, Sharon Brimhall, Patricia Peacock, 2 brothers; Wendel and Sheldon Bye.

            Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. at New Covenant Fellowship Church, 1238 W. 450 S., Portland, IN 47371.  Services to celebrate Merritt’s life will be held at 11 a.m.  Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at New Covenant Fellowship Church.  Pastor Chuck Myers and Chad Young will officiate the service.  Burial will follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery, west of Bryant.  American Legion Post #211 of Portland will conduct military graveside rites.   

            Memorials may be directed towards New Covenant Fellowship Church.