James Oscar Merritt, 83, of Pierceton, died at 12:55 p.m. April 12, 2013, in Marion V.A. Medical Center. He was born Feb. 12, 1930, in Floyd County, Ky., to Jack and Biddie Hackworth Merritt. On Aug. 5, 1955, in North Manchester, he married Bonnie Marie Eubank, who survives in Pierceton. He was a farmer and drove truck for Wabash Alloys for more than 28 years. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1949, and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps Jan. 26, 1951, serving until his honorable discharge Jan. 27, 1954. Also surviving are three daughters: Christine (and spouse Jeff) Rodgers, Livermore, Calif.; Barbara (and spouse Scott) Dawes, Urbana; and Cathy (and spouse Doug) Davenport, Prairie Grove, Ark.; two sons, Michael (and spouse Cindy) Merritt, Turner, Ore., and David L. Merritt, Pierceton; 12 grandchildren; and nine great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother and four sisters. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Lakeland Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw, with Pastor Dr. Russ Simpson officiating. Burial will be in Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, Silver Lake, with full military honors. Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. ***** Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
