Earl Merrill

WALNUT — Earl D. Merrill, 96, of the Homestead Apartments in Walnut, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the Walnut Manor Nursing Home.

Earl was born Sept. 15, 1913 in Prophetstown, the son of George and Emma (Hotchkiss) Merrill. He was united in marriage to Elsie Wildman on Sept. 16, 1939, at the Prophetstown Methodist Church in Prophetstown.

He farmed in the Prophetstown, Lyndon, and Ohio area during his lifetime. He retired in 1985. He was a member of the Ohio United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Elsie of Walnut; two sons, Dan (Carol) Merrill of Ohio, Ill., David Merrill of Dale, Texas; 10 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and one nephew, Gene Poulter of Prophetstown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut, with the Rev. Paul Nolden, pastor of the Walnut United Methodist Church, officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after the services. Burial of cremains will be in Limerick Cemetery in Kasbeer.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home in Walnut,

A memorial has been established in his memory.