Merle Aldridge

A service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the
Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. Following the service a celebration of life
visitation will be held until 4:00 p.m.  Memorials may be made in care of his family.
Merle Nelson Aldridge was born January 28, 1938, in Downing Missouri to Francis and
Zula (Peterson) Aldridge. He grew up in Missouri where he graduated high school and
later moved to Knoxville. Merle married the love of his life, Olga Torres in 1960, they
were then blessed with two children: Cindy and Olen, four grandchildren, and five great
grandchildren.
Merle lived a life defined by steady service, and simple joys. As a young man, he
proudly served in the United States Army as a Military Police officer, stationed in Puerto
Rico. An experience that left a lasting impression on him and sparked a lifelong
appreciation for Puerto Rican food and culture.
Following his military service, Merle devoted himself to hard work and reliability. He was
employed at Rolscreen, Pella Corporation, and later spent 28 years at Maytag, where
his strong work ethic and dependability were well known. He concluded his working
years with 15 years of service at the Knoxville Hospital, where he took pride in
maintaining the facility.
Outside of work, Merle found his greatest happiness in the outdoors. He loved deer and
pheasant hunting alongside his bird dogs, enjoyed quiet days fishing, and could often
be found watching baseball. Raised on a farm, Merle carried the spirit of a cowboy
throughout his life. He loved his horses, riding whenever he could.
Merle was easygoing and soft-spoken, a man of gentle spirit and good nature. He
enjoyed telling stories, often with a quiet humor. To those who knew him, Merle was
steady, thoughtful, and content in the life he built; leaving behind memories rooted in
love, loyalty, and simple pleasures.
Merle was preceded in death by his wife Olga in 2011; daughter, Cindy Dumond in
2016; parents: Francis and Zula Aldridge; and siblings: Leland Aldridge, Boyd Aldridge,
and Elsie Baumert Chapman. Brothers-in-law: William Torres and Ruben Torres; and
Father and step-mother-in-law: Bisillio Torres and Huliya Torres.
He will be greatly missed by his son, Olen Aldridge; ex-daughter-in-law, Lisa Aldridge;
grandchildren: Cierra Jo (Nate) Wandro, Marisa Maria Dumond, Samantha Aldridge,
and Austin Aldridge; five great grandchildren; siblings: Charlie Aldridge, Becky (Tim)
Langstraat, Connie Johnson, Dona (Jack) Wallerich, and Larry (Lois) Aldridge; brother-
in-law, Raul Torres; and many relatives and friends.