Merle Mason Bishop, 78, of Summersville, WV went home to be with the Lord on October 23, 2021. He was born in Mullens, WV to the late Ollie and Roy Bishop. Merle is survived by the love of his life, Shirley Shrewsbury Bishop of 57 years. Merle graduated from Mullens High School and West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, WV. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and began his career in the coal industry in WV and surrounding states. He was well respected in his field and a valued consultant. Merle was known for his love of baseball and was instrumental in starting the Summersville Suns Industrial League in Summersville, which competed in southern WV in the 1980s. Merle loved cars, golf, and spending time on Summersville Lake with family. He was a soft-spoken and hardworking man that led his family with love and devotion. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Monica Collins who was married to Tim of Cookeville, TN. Those left to cherish his life include his children, Marilyn Facemire and husband Daniel of Radford, VA, Greg Bishop and wife Ann of Summersville, WV, and Grant Bishop and wife Angie of Hurricane, WV. Papaw Merle was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Nathan Facemire and Mindy of Radford, VA, Hannah-Kait Worles and Timothy of Radford, VA, Eli Facemire of Radford, VA, Mason Bishop and Jenna of Summersville, WV, Andrew Bishop, and fiancé Morgan Kesecker of Morgantown, WV, Cameron Bishop of Huntington, WV, Jocelyn Bishop and fiancé Luke Ping of Port Orange, FL, Ariana Bishop of Morgantown, WV, Xander Bishop of Hurricane, WV, Gretchen Collins of Knoxville, TN; 4 great-grandchildren, Josie Mae Facemire, Cole Facemire, Brady Bishop, and Lillian Worles; siblings, Earnest Bishop, Melvin Bishop, Morris Bishop, Willis Bishop, Kay Broyles, James Bishop, Roy Bishop Jr., David Bishop, and their spouses. The Funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 3:00 pm at Blue Ridge Funeral Home. Friends may gather with the family from 2-3 pm. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation of sympathy be sent to WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital – IMO Merle Mason Bishop, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507 or to the Summersville Memorial United Methodist Church 1317 Webster Rd, Summersville, WV 26651.