SYRACUSE – Carl Leon Myrick, formerly of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, passed away May 2, 2016, at Goshen IU Hospital. He was born May 11, 1927, in Fairmount, Ill., to Ica Byrd and Lester Myrick. In 1962 he married Susan Kroh Coy, who survives. After serving in the United States Army, he came to Syracuse, the home of several of his Byrd relatives. He was a lifelong employee of the Dana Corporation, formerly Weatherhead. In fact, during the early 1950s he helped build the Syracuse plant. A dedicated public servant, he served on the Syracuse Fire Department from 1958 to 1975 as a volunteer firefighter. He held the office of assistant chief. When a fire call came in over the receiver at home he would run to the fire station, just one block away. He was often one of the first to arrive. Honored at being able to help people, he was devastated at the loss of life which he sometimes witnessed up close. After retiring from the fire department he served as the liaison between the town and the department and was instrumental in establishing a second fire station for the Turkey Creek Fire Territory at the south end of Lake Wawasee. He also served as the liaison officer for the Syracuse Police Department. He was elected to the Syracuse Town Board for several terms during which he served some years as president. During his tenure, he headed the building of a new town hall and the construction of the new sewage plant. He was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. He was proud of his girls, proud of his town and especially proud of the Syracuse Fire Department. He always gave his best and taught us to do the same. Also surviving are two stepdaughters, Amy Coy (and spouse Ryan) Matherly, Elkhart, and Sarah Ann Coy, Rock Hill, S.C.; and one daughter, Cynthia Myrick (and spouse Dov) Rosenberg, Longwood, Fla. His great delight were his four grandchildren: Ben (and spouse Gina) Matherly and Kelly Matherly (and spouse Greg) Shewmaker, all of Fishers; Andrew Rosenberg, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Molly Margaret Rosenberg, Longwood, Fla. Also, he had a special place in his heart for his great grandchildren: Gia and Graham Matherly and Eulah and Finley Shewmaker. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Myrick Biggerstaff, and his brother, Gayle Myrick. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Dorothy Dausman and Doris Harmon; and one brother, Bill Myrick. A graveside military service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Syracuse Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to join a procession which will begin at the Eastlund Funeral Home at 12:30. Following the service the family will host a reception at the Syracuse Community Center.
