Obituary: Merle Bina

Merle Bina
July 7, 1956~Nov. 16, 2008
Merle Bina, 52, of Meeker, died Nov. 16, 2008, at the Walbridge Wing Nursing Facility in Meeker.
Merle was born in Rifle, Colo., on July 7, 1956, to Ted G. and Carrie L. (McGruder) Bina. He was raised in Meeker and attended the Meeker Schools, graduating in 1975. He enjoyed playing football and was all-conference player his senior year. He also participated in FFA and track and field. But, he enjoyed wrestling most of all, and lived by the Meeker motto: “‘Tis better to have wrestled and lost than never to have wrestled at all.” He participated in many tournaments and at the state wrestling tournament in 1975. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. He will be remembered as determined, strong willed, ornery and playful.
As his long battle has ended, he’s welcomed into the arms of his devoted mother, Carrie; sister, Valerie; his grandparents and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his father, Ted G. Bina of Meeker, his sister, LaVina (Larry) Reese of Parachute, brother, Ted R. (Kelly) Bina of Rifle, nieces Audra (Andrew) Underhill of Parachute, Mackenzie Bina and Grace Phillips of Rifle, nephews Gerald Reese of Parachute and Tristin Bina of Rifle and great nephews Clay and Cameron of Parachute.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff and nurses at the Walbridge Wing for their compassionate and thoughtful care given to him during his 32 years of residency at the Wing. A special thank you to Mr. Bill Ertmer for the times spent reading to Merle and Jean Gianinetti for her sense of humor, teasing Merle every chance she got.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Highland Cemetery under the direction of Cochran Memorial Chapel of Meeker.