Remley - Merle
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review 17 Mar 1970 p 1 typed by Walt W
Merle Remley, 73, 410 W. Market St., former Montgomery County sheriff, Crawfordsville chief of police and Indiana State Police officer, was fatally stricken about 9 o'clock Tuesday morning while he was driving a car in the 100 block of North Walnut Street. Coroner Russell Powers said he believed death was caused by a heart seizure. Mr. Remley's 40-year career in law enforcement began in 1921 when he was the 24th man chosen for the newly formed Indiana State Police. He later was a lieutenant in that organization. He was elected four times as sheriff and was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Sheriff Roy Hardaker who died in office. Mr. Remley joined the police department Oct. 31, 1931, and served until Oct. 1, 1935. After four years as sheriff, he returned as chief of police Jan. 1, 1940, and held that position until June of 1945. From 1945 until his appointment as sheriff in 1951, Mr. Remley farmed a while in the Wesley area and worked in the license examining division of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. While with the bureau, Mr. Remley acted as a representative of the state of Indiana and attended various seminars and meeting across the nation, picking up data on traffic safety. His first two terms were from 1936 through 1939. The appointment to serve out Hardaker's term was made by the county commissioners an April 17, 1951. He then ran for election in 1954 and 1958 and was successful both times. Mr. Remley was a member of the Crawfordsville Police Department for a total of 10 years, including one year as chief. Mr. Remley was named security officer for the Elston Bank & Trust Co. on Feb. 5, 1963, a position he held until his death. He held a full commission as Montgomery County deputy sheriff while employed by the bank. He was driving a car owned by the bank when fatally stricken Tuesday. The car crashed into the side of a parked auto owned by Robert D. Blickenstaff of Rt. 4. Damage to each car was set at $450. Mr. Remley was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, Waynetown Lodge 302 F&AM, Shrine, Scottish Rite and the Indiana and National Sheriff's associations. A Montgomery County native, he was born Dec. 4, 1896, a son of Clayton and Jane Hathaway Remley. Surviving are his widow, Edith Galey Remley; a daughter, Mrs. Edward (Kathleen) Patton of Indianapolis; three grandsons, John, Richard and Thomas Patton, and two great-grandchildren. Services for Mr. Remley will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Hunt & Son Funeral Home with Rev. John R. Servies officiating. Burial will be in Wesley Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 p.m. Wednesday.