2016
Meredith L. Ayres, 75, of Flora, passed away at his home Sunday, July 17, 2016 after a long battle of health issues. Meredith was born to the late Robert and Mary Toler Ayres on September 12, 1940 in Bringhurst, IN. He lived in Carroll County all of his life.
Meredith married Sharon J. Cromer on June 11, 1961 in Cutler and she survives.
Most of Meredith’s life he was a dairy farmer retiring in 1990. He also owned Ayres Enterprises in Flora. The one thing that Meredith loved to do was to portray President Abraham Lincoln. When he would meet someone and would give them his business card with a bright penny on it, with President Lincoln’s face looking at you. He would always say, “I can’t afford to give you a Cadillac so here is a Lincoln.”
Meredith graduated from Cutler High School in 1958. He was active in the Carroll County 4-H serving as a leader for over 40 years. Past President of Farm Bureau for 7 years. Past President of Carroll High School music boosters. Deacon at Grace Brethren Church. Precinct committee for 40 years. He received the 1970 Younger Farmer’s Award. He also received the State Corn Yield Award. He attended Galveston 1st Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Sharon Ayres. One Daughter and son-in-law: Carrie and Jon Johnson of St. Peters, MO. Three sons and daughters-in-law: Kirk and Chrystal Ayres of Bringhurst, Kip and Cathy Ayres of Bringhurst, and Kane Ayres of Flora. One sister and brother-in-law: Janet Ayres and Lynn Corson of Delphi. One brother and sister-in-law: Ric and Vickie Ayres of Bringhurst. Eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded by his parents, one sister: Linda Cromer and a granddaughter Capri Rachael Ayres.
Meredith’s family will receive friends Thursday from 4-8 PM at Wheeler Family Funeral Home-Baker Chapel, 204 South Center Street, Flora, IN 46929. A celebration of Meredith’s life will be at 11:00 AM Friday at the funeral home. Officiating Rev Paul Martin. Burial to follow at Maple Lawn Cemetery. The family asks that memorials be given to Endless Frontier. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences for the family 03
jim ferguson
July 20, 2016 8:03 pm ·my heartfelt condolences to the Ayres family . Having met Meredith when i owned the cj’s antique store i met a super nice man and had the priviledge of hearing lots of stories. . May you rest in peace and fly high with the angels Meredith
Gail Rosner
July 21, 2016 11:09 pm ·Dave and I love the whole Ayres family with all our hearts. Meredith and Sharon were such a big help to us when we first moved to Flora. Meredith would have that half smile/smirk and you knew something was coming. Always making people laugh. Meredith helped us so much remodeling our house, I mean really, is there anything he could not do?? His heart was huge, He loved God and people. I thought of Meredith the other day when I bought a hanging basket and thought, “I sure wish I could find a plant as beautiful as Meredith always found for Sharon”. I can see Meredith in heaven with Capri on his knee telling stories and praising God. I feel honored to have known him. God’s blessing to Meredith’s whole family. I pray for our wonderful Lord and savior to put His arms around you all and hug you tight as you feel this deep void in your lives. With all our love, Dave and Gail Rosner and family.
Ted Howard
July 23, 2016 7:22 am ·I will miss Meredith, his smile and his jokes. He showed me, in the early 1970’s, how our relationship was going to work. I took an Ag class to the farm so he could demonstrate AI on a cow. He first pulled a tie out of his coveralls and proceeded to wipe the cow’s rear end. I was speechless, but my students loved it!!
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