James Oscar Merritt
James Oscar Merritt, 83, of Pierceton, Ind., passed away at 12:55 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2013, at the Marion VA Medical Center, Marion, Ind.
He was a farmer and drove a truck for over 28 years for Wabash Alloys in Wabash, Ind. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1949 and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Jan. 26, 1951, serving until his honorable discharge on Jan. 27, 1954.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1930, in Floyd County, Ky., to Jack Merritt and Biddie (Hackworth) Merritt. On Aug. 5, 1955, in North Manchester, Ind., he was married to Bonnie Marie Eubank, who survives in Pierceton.
Also surviving are three daughters: Christine (Jeff) Rodgers, Livermore, Calif.; Barbara (Scott) Dawes, Urbana, Ind.; Cathy (Doug) Davenport, Prairie Grove, Ark.; two sons: Michael (Cindy) Merritt, Turner, Ore.; David L. Merritt, Pierceton; and 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and four sisters.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw, Ind. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Lakeland Grace Brethren Church, 2538 S. County Farm Rd., Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Dr. Russ Simpson. Burial with full military honors will follow at Ulrey Memorial Cemetery in Silver Lake, Ind.
Memorial donations may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.