Merlie A. Thinnes, 79, of Huntington, died Jan. 20, 2026.
She was born Sept. 6, 1946, in Blackford County. She married Thomas W. Thinnes on Jan. 15, 1971 in Bluffton; he preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 2017.
She will be missed by her son, Nicholas John (Jessica) Thinnes of Huntington; daughter, Samantha Jane (James) Heflin of Hartford City; step-daughter, Elizabeth Ann Miller of Coldwater, Michigan; and step-son, Timothy Wayne Thinnes of Houston; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Larry G. Welch, Wesley O. (Kathy) Welch, John S. Welch, Priscilla J. (Michael) McFarland, Vicki M. (Dave) Johnson and Jerry L. (Pam) Welch.
She was also by her parents, John Wesley Welch and Alice May (Rogers) Welch; daughter, Abigail Renee Thinnes; stepson, Joey Lee Thinnes; and sister-in-law, Betty Welch.
Family and friends may gather 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, 109 Windsor St. in Montpelier, and also one hour prior to service on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. The service will begin at 2 p.m. with Pastor Steve Loft officiating. Interment will take place in the Asbury Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home in Montpelier.