Merle Dodge put two wheels under many of the poorest kids and adults in Ashtabula.

Dodge, who died Dec. 14 at the age of 59, was head mechanic and coordinator of the Cycle for Kids bike shop. Located in a garage behind the Ashtabula Dream Center, the shop turns out an average of 350 refurbished bicycles every year. The bicycles are donated to any child or adult who needs the most basic of transportation but can’t afford to buy one.

The Rev. Duane Ball, pastor of Harvest International Church and Dream Center founder, says Dodge was a dedicated volunteer who worked with the bicycle program from its earliest days. Dodge obtained bicycles from police and sheriff departments, bike shops and donors, then fixed them up and donated them to any person who needed one.

“We have a lot of homeless people on bicycles because of Merle,” Ball says.

Shonet Dodge, his widow, says the bicycle ministry gave meaning to her husband’s final, difficult years.

“The bike ministry, children riding, fixing their bikes, that’s all he talked about,” Shonet says.

Ball says Merle also served as a mechanic for the Dream Center’s annual bicycling events. He rode along in a support vehicle and was always ready to repair a chain or flat tire.

“He was always there helping out,” Ball says.

A native of Ashtabula, Merle Dodge worked at the mushroom farm and several other area businesses before disabilities prevented him from working. His wife says Merle adopted the bicycle ministry about five years ago. He treated it as a part-time job, working there five days a week spring through fall.

“It was just something to give him something to do,” Shonet says. “He loved doing it.”

His last year to work in the ministry was 2006. In March 2007 breathing and mobility issues forced Dodge into a nursing home. He came home last summer and visited the ministry a couple of times before his disabilities left him bedridden.

He died Dec. 14. Merle and Shonet have four adult children – Calvin, Skip, Nelson and Tracy Eastlick – 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He had provided bicycles for many of his grandchildren.

But the family couldn’t afford an obituary in the newspaper, let alone pay for the funeral expenses.

At the funeral Dec. 19, Ball suggested the Dream Center’s Annual Chili Ride be in memory of Merle Dodge. Proceeds from the ride will go toward his funeral expenses.

“I feel grateful, really grateful that they would think of him,” Shonet says.

“Merle was a giver,” Ball says. “He’d give the shirt off his back. This is our opportunity to give as much as Merle gave.”

Ball says that just a couple of months before he died, Merle donated his new socket set to the Dream Center’s bicycle ministry.

“Merle was always finding ways to give,” says Ball.

This is the fifth year for the Chili Ride, a non-competitive event that kick offs the new year. A registration fee of $20 for adults is required for the ride/walk, which leaves the Dream Center, 604 W. 57th St., at noon New Year’s Day. Donations will be accepted in his memory, as well.

Ball says the course is around the block; some people ride around once, others put several miles on their bicycles, depending on the weather. Chili is served at the Dream Center kitchen from noon to 2 p.m. to warm and fuel the riders and walkers.

“It’s just kind of a good way to start the new year out and look at yourself as you start the new year,” Ball says of the event, one of Merle’s favorites.

“He would follow behind them and fix their bikes during the Chili Ride in case anything broke,” Shonet says.

Ball says a memorial display will be set up in the church during the ride, and the Dodge family will be on hand to recall and honor their husband, father and grandfather. But none of them plans to ride.

“I haven’t been on a bike for years,” Shonet says.

They will reminisce about the man who had a way of keeping things rolling wherever he went.

“Everybody loved him because he had a good sense of humor,” Shonet says. “He’d joke with you and he’d make your day. It’s unbelievable that he’s gone. A lot of people are missing him already.”