Merle Caswell - Roberson Funeral Home

Merle Caswell

June 15, 1942 - November 1, 2012

Elks Club in Port Charlotte

Sunday 1/13, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Sunday 5/26, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Merle C. Caswell, 70, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away Thursday, November 1, 2012 at Charlotte Harbor Health Care, Port Charlotte.

Merle was born June 15, 1942 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and moved to Port Charlotte in 1989 from there. Merle was an adventurist guy who enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt when he could. He was a big fan of NASCAR and owned his own business in 1989 called Sweet Parts of Florida, Inc. Merle worked in construction for many years before retiring and getting into the racing business. Merle was a volunteer for the Cooper Township Fire Department for 25 years. He was a wonderful husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend and will forever be missed by all who loved and knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Rachel E. Caswell; his mother, Agnes Caswell of Port Charlotte; his special friend, Diana Nash; 2 brothers, Gerald Caswell of Marcellus, MI and Richard (Beverly) Caswell of Port Charlotte; 2 grandchildren, Merlana (Aaron) Akens of Vicksburg, MI and Nic Caswell-Newton of Parchment, MI; 2 great-grandchildren, Braedon and Harper Akens and 4 nephews, Johnny, Todd, Ron and Chad Caswell. Merle was preceded in death by his loving father, Charles L. Caswell, Jr. and daughter, Melissa Caswell.

A Celebration of Life Services will be held 2:00PM-6:00PM, Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Elks Lodge, 20225 Kenilworth Blvd. Port Charlotte, FL 33954 and another service to be held 2:00PM-6:00PM, Sunday, May 26, 2013 at Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 110 at 110 Chestnut Street Allegan, MI 49010.

Memorial contributions may be made in Merle’s memory to the American Cancer Society, or Tidewell Hospice, Inc.

Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.

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Sunday 5/26, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

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Merle C. Caswell, 70, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away Thursday, November 1, 2012 at Charlotte Harbor Health Care, Port Charlotte. Merle was born June 15, 1942 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and moved to Port Charlotte in 1989 from there. Merle was an adventurist guy who enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and loved…

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Rachael, We are sorry for your loss, you guys made a great couple together. We will remember Merle as he used to be, fun and full of life. He lived life to the fullest. Now he's resting in peace.

Our sincere condolences; we are so terribly sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. You took such special care of Merle for the past two years; you always tried to smile, put on a brave front and hide your tears. Just remember how much he loved you.

We are so sorry to hear of Merle's passing, you have our deepest sympathy Shelly. Gary especially has many great memories of times together with Merle, our lives, including my family's, seemed to intersect with yours in several ways over the years, and we think of you and Merle with fondness. Please know that you are in our thoughts in the coming days.

Very blessed to have been able to visit my cousin in Florida and pray with him and witness his bravery and perseverance as he was cared for by a very loving wife. Sad by his passing but praising God he is no longer suffering and now he is with the Jesus Merle came to know and was baptized recently to show his love and surrender:). God Bless you Shelly, Aunt Agnes and all the rest of the Caswell family. I will look for notice of the memorial service in Kalamazoo at a later date.

So sorry for your loss, Shelly. You both fought a hard fight.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Shelly, Agnes, Jerry, Dick and Beverly & Family, May you be comforted with Merle passing as he is eternally healed of any Cancer and rest peacefully in Heaven. I hope you experience peace and comfort during this initial loss and extend our deepest Sympathy. God Rest Merle Soul and Bless his entire family.

You were taken too soon my friend. Will always remember the good times we had at the Gilded Grape. We will miss your smiling face & your wicked sense of humor.

i remember all the days merle would come over to our house when paul and mom would have camp outs it was fun you will be missed dearly merle

Shelly: My thoughts and prayers are with you

So saddened to hear of Merles passing and hope Shelly,Diana,Nic , Merlana and all Merles family and friends will be comforted by knowing of his eternal peace and freedom. Merle filled my life with so many joys, good meanings and rich memories! Oh the trails we traveled!; Happy trails my friend,thank you my friend, may God blessyou my friend. Till we meet again!

Merle: Was a vey niceperson. We lived next door to them in Parchment. The Barinka family. I grew up with his daugter Melissa.We was very close neighbors. Well Im sorry for your lost. He was a great guy. The Barinka amily. Lnda,Jerry and Mary.

we would like to send our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of the Caswell family. may god bless you all.

We are saddened to hear about the loss of Merle! He was a good all around person who loved his family, racing, music, life and his friends and it was always nice to visit with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we will miss him.

R.I.P my good friend. I will miss you.

Cat -- You put up a good fight. We're going to miss you. Thinking of you all.

Dearest Shelly.... Our distance in miles has never stopped our on-going friendship over the years with you and Merle. Life is full of different kinds of friends in time. Some of our best memories in life have you and Merle in them. Gosh... we still laugh at things and say "that sounds like something Merle would say"! How about "Shelly my Girl my Pride and my Pearl!" Jim has said that a million times over the years with "Laura" in place of Shelly".... Oh my.. so many one liners that aren't appropriate for print that we still giggle and laugh about .. Merle was a one of a kind and such an important piece of our life trail. Our "Best Man" almost 30 years ago. He was soooooo funny when we told him he was wearing a "suit"! That's a life treasure in and of itself... back then getting Merle in a suit, what a hoot! How about all those years he would pay anyone a hundred bucks if they would just name their kid "Merle Climax"! You don't know how many times Jim has told that story! Shooting birds up in Ludville off the deck... Marne races... tailgateing, Stick Tours in Michigan cuz the color was gone... driving past "Dad's place" to visit you in Kazoo.... so many fond memories. We are so glad we visited in March to see his beautiful smile one last time. And today, our hearts are still heavy for you. We know the sun won't shine the same, the rain will be heard a little differently, and the memories of your beautiful love story will forever be deep in your heart. The memories that will remind you that you loved and were loved by a very special man.... Merle. Sweet dreams dear friend... sweet dreams. Love you Shelly....and we'll miss our friend all the way to the great Mitt in Michigan! XX00 Foxy and his Pearl.. Jim and Laura

Merle and I went to schooltogether and lived down the street from eachother I spent a lot of time at his house listing to music Merle was a great guy I will never forget him.

We love you Shelly, love and miss Uncle Merle, he was a sweetheart and very witty, I will miss his jokes, and friendship! RIP forever !

We were saddened to hear of Merle's passing. We will always remember the good times at the Gilded Grape . There is consolation in knowing that he now is not suffering and is at peace. Our thoughts and prayers go to Shelly and the entire family. Nancy & Lou Cascone

My condolences to the Caswell family. Merle was such a special person. Always so kind and witty. Many great memories, especially of the many good times together in Wyoming. Shelly, you have been such an angel to him, especially the last two years.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

What wonderful memories with Merle, Diana, Jerry and the entire family. It was a long time ago, but the memories are so fresh. I am saddened that we lost touch over the years, and even more saddened to read of Merle's death. I am sure he and his dad are sharing a cold one and memories at this moment. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I will watch for a memorial service in Kalamazoo. Will miss you always Merle. Margie

Merle cannot be replaced or forgotten.What memories I have of him as a business associate, then good friend to a fishing partner who knew where the fish were. He was one of a kind and I know God has a special place for him. Shelly, you are so special for the care you gave him. May God bless and comfort you in the coming days.

Merle will be truly missed. He was a great guy & friend to the racing guys and to Jack & myself as were you Shelly. You took great care of him and I know how hard that is - it takes a lot out of you. Please, if I can help in any way call me. Again, we will all miss him so much.

Just read about my old buddy Merle had a lot of good times way back thanks for taking me under your wing what a education not the things you learn in a book my thoughts are with you may you rest in peace old friend. Son

Going to miss his jokes. He will be missed. Kimberly Burrows Royal Purple LLC

Loved you so much ,brother, you fought a great battle and will be missed immensely. Brother Dick and Beverly

Shelly, Dick & Bev: So sorry to hear that we lost Merle! I know it has been a rough couple yrs for each of you, especially you Shelly. I just hope that Merle's peace will soon bring you each peace in knowing that you were unselfishly there for Merle for whatever he needed, and he died with a great sense of love surrounding him!

Shelly, What a true blessing it was to have Known Merle, I will always remember you and Merle's kindness to me, all the good stories, lots of laughs and good wine. He will be missed dearly! Love, Terri Dillman, Bradenton,fl

I've thought of you two often in the past years and always remember seeing the love in his eyes when he spoke of you Shell, he will always be out catching a shark on the river when I think of him. My condolences to you, he was a good man.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.