John Merrill

FELCH - John E. Merrill, 74, of Felch died Thursday, July 13, 2006, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain. John was born Sept. 20, 1931, in Portland, Maine. He was the son of the late Everett and Hattie (Mayberry) Merrill. John lived in Maine for 38 years. He moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1973 and has been a resident of this area since 1984. John served with the United States Army in Korea from 1949-52 and was the recipient of the Purple Heart. He married the former Nancy Bell on Jan. 17, 1953, in Naples, Maine. John worked as a pipefitter for the plumbers and pipefitters union local 728 for 35 years retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 388, the Shriners and Scottish Rite. He was a life member of the Felch-Breen Veterans of Foreign Wars post 4803, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, life member of the Order of the Purple Heart, member of the Cucculi-Baraga American Legion Post 168 in Channing. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. John loved woodworking and gardening and took great pride in his lawn. He is survived by two sons, Delvin Merrill of Florida and Roy (Jodi) Merrill of Norway; five daughters, Joyce (Richard) Cox of Lewiston, Maine, Necia (Kevin) LaPlaunt of Kincheloe, Rebecca Merrill of Iron Mountain, Cynthia (Steven) Vandenberg of Culver City, Calif. and Janice (John) Dynes of Felch; two brothers, Delvin (Bessie) Merrill and Curtis (Marion) Merrill of Naples, Maine; one sister, Kathleen (Durwood) Fox of Athens, Maine; nine grandchildren, Veronica and Grant Merrill, Beth (Carl) Hebert, Kari LaPlaunt, Kurt LaPlaunt, James and Melanie Brown, David and Merrill Dynes; two great-grandchildren, Lucas LaPlaunt and Olivia Briones and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy on May 3, 2004, and a grandson, Michael Rabineau. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. Masonic services will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening. Visitation will also be on Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Metropolitan. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Rev. John Voelker will officiate. Burial will be in Felch Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family of John Merrill online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.

John Merrill

July 13, 1932 - July 13, 2006