Merrill C. Quarles , age 88 of Carmel and formerly a longtime resident of Frankton, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at his residence.  He was born May 27, 1933 in Elwood, the son of John H. and L. Kate (Horner) Quarles, and he grew up on a farm in his childhood.  Merrill was a 1951 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood.  He married the love of his life, Mara-Le Wilson, on November 22, 1961 and they shared over 59 years of marriage together.  Merrill was an accountant for over 30 years at Continental Can Corporation in Elwood and later worked in security for 10 years at Magnequench Corporation in Anderson until his retirement.  He was a devoted member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.  Merrill was a former member of the Elwood Quincy Masonic Lodge #230, the Elwood Elks Lodge #368, Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, Shriners, and helped with Boy Scouts.  He especially enjoyed driving convertibles and watching western and Hallmark movies.  Merrill enjoyed spending time at Siesta Key, Florida, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and anywhere in the Smokey Mountains.  Merrill cherished memories of growing up on a farm, making homemade ice cream, and enjoying divinity candy.  He was known for keeping a very organized home and garage, and he put labels on absolutely everything.  Merrill never met a stranger and enjoyed conversations with everyone he met.  One of his favorite pastimes was watching his family play sports and perform in plays and musicals.  In recent years, he enjoyed sitting on his balcony and talking to his neighbors walking their dogs, and he knew all of them by name.  More than anything, Merrill was devoted to his family and enjoyed nothing more than simply spending time with them.  He will be greatly missed.

Merrill's family includes his wife Mara-Le Quarles of Carmel; daughter, Beth Quarles of Carmel; 2 granddaughters, Kady (husband Travis) Falls of Brownsburg and Karson (husband Ridge) Gritten of Monticello; 2 great-grandchildren, Haddie Falls and Sawyer Falls; daughter-in-law, Sheri Quarles of Monticello; sister-in-law, Katherine Quarles of South Carolina; nephew who was raised like a brother, John Budd; nieces and nephews, Jeff Budd, Linda Runyon, Kathy Barber, Larry Quarles, Ann Quarles, and D.J. Quarles; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Merrill was preceded in death by parents; 4 siblings, Phyllis (husband Jesse) Budd, Eugene (wife Wilma Jean) Quarles, Mary (husband Tommy) Thomas, and Donald Quarles; and his son, Thomas "Rick" Quarles in 2019.

A funeral service celebrating Merrill's life and faith will be conducted at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86 ^th Street, Indianapolis with Pastor Alex Hershey officiating.  Cremation will follow the service and ashes will be entombed along with his son's ashes, Rick Quarles, at St. Luke's Church columbarium at a later date.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 prior to the funeral at St. Luke's Church in Indianapolis.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.  Health precautions for the safety of the family and visitors will include face coverings and social distancing.  Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Luke's United Methodist Church.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.