Shirley Meril Ater, 86, Freeport died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born April 12, 1924 in Little Hocking, Ohio, he was a son of the late Perley Rowland Ater and Mary Grace Stephens Ater. His mother died when he was two years old and he was raised by his grandparents, Auzro and Laura Ater.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving his country from October 9, 1941 to April 23, 1947.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Martin and Elizabeth Chapman; and three brothers, Dallas Ater, Perley R. Ater, Jr., and Paul V. Ater.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, in the Freeport United Methodist Church with Pastor Paul Turner officiating. Military service and burial will follow in Greenmont Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held in Koch Funeral Home, Freeport on Monday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to Hospice of Guernsey and Hospice of Tuscarawas.

A full obituary will appear in the next print edition of the Harrison News-Herald.