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Merle Louise Ammerman, 82, Pittsburgh, peacefully passed away April 15, 2023, at her home. She was born in Altoona and raised in Tyrone, the daughter of Merle Stonebraker and Louise (Gartner) Stonebraker.
Merle was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Don W. Ammerman II; brother, David (Gail) Stonebraker; and daughter, Wendy Ammerman.
She is survived by her sister, Susan (Jim) Thimlar of Elkhart, Ind.; daughters: Kelly (Rob) McKnight of Pittsburgh, Desiree Ammerman of Sewickley and "daughter number four," Melissa Watters; son-in-law, Gregory Giacomino; sister-in-law, Doris "Mert" Robison of San Diego, Calif.; nieces and nephews: Dave (Teri) Stonebraker, Harold (Leigh) Stonebraker, Cindy Fely, Paula (George) Smalls, Rachel (Nick) McAllister, Cori Thimlar, Josh (Mara) Fely, Jake Fely, Kana Smalls, Lily Smalls and Noah (Elizabeth) Smalls.
Before her professional career, Merle's lifelong love of ice cream developed at age 15 in her first job at Long's Dairy. A true "Tyroneian," you may have seen her working at East End Pizza, Baney's Floral Shop, or just maybe you were lucky enough to be one of those area kids looking for a safe space to play and some fun at the Paper Mill Park Playground. As the supervisor, Merle always went beyond the basics as the hostess of hot dog cook-outs with an abundance of mixed Kool-aid on hand.
After she and her husband started their family, Saturdays were Merle's day to wash hair at the Chic Salon. She loved working there, hanging out with lifelong friends, staying up with the town gossip and having her kids clean the house while she was there.
A proud Tyrone Area High School graduate, Merle was a cheerleader and a French horn player. She continued her studies at Lock Haven University, where she was a member of the Tri Sigma Sorority and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education.
Merle taught second and third grade at Adams Elementary School for 33 years and was deeply honored to have been nominated and named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Merle also acted as a leader and took pride in her advocacy and accomplishments as she and Herk drove the need to develop educational programming for students with disabilities.
For fun, Merle was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, a non-academic sorority created to provide social and cultural opportunities for women and to do community service work. We will never forget the wild community scavenger hunts, her card club nights and years of bringing back her Girl Scout days, volunteering for the fifth-grade camping trips to Camps Barree and Blue Diamond. The family will always cherish the weeks of camping at Prince Gallitzin State Park in the summers.
While teaching, Merle also dedicated decades of her life to the Tyrone Marching Band and Indoor Competition Majorette Squad. Witnessing the twirling talent and social grace of family friend, Kathy Harris Banks, Merle enrolled her daughters at Carol's School of Baton in 1971. Merle saw twirling as a way for young ladies to maintain their physical and emotional health, develop poise, dedication and strong friendships, and grow their confidence and competitive spirit while having fun. Merle was inspired by her friends, Carol Riley and Debbie Bernhart of the twirling studio. She began service as advisor to the Tyrone Majorettes in 1978, and Merle has made a lasting impression on countless lives. Kathy Harris and Merle's daughter, Wendy, were the choreographers for many years. Championship squads competed throughout Pennsylvania, as far east as the Atlantic Coast Championships in Wildwood, N.J., and as far west as the National Championships at Notre Dame University. Merle would always find a way for her girls to be recognized and to have fun while achieving a higher level, even when it meant she had to drive the bus herself. Under her direction, the Tyrone Area High School Majorettes went as far as to perform on stage at Walt Disney World. She was inducted into the Keystone Indoor Drill Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Merle also spearheaded the organization of several Alumni Majorette performances to raise money for current twirlers. As a result of their high-caliber shows, the team was invited and performed an exhibition in Wildwood, N.J., on the Atlantic Coast Championship Stage. Merle's legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of many.
Merle was always blessed to remain very close with friends, attend lunches, breakfasts and other social gatherings, and continue to have her hair done weekly at the Chic Salon. She spent the last five years as a resident of Graystone Manor at Bellmeade, where she made countless more friends. A long life fully lived indeed.
Please save the date for a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Tyrone Elks Lodge, followed by a luncheon and time of celebration and fellowship.
Many thanks to the Bruce E. Cox Funeral Home for everything, always.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Skills of Central Pennsylvania Inc., 2101 Eighth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602.