Don E. Merryman
Don E. Merryman died peacefully on Aug. 2, 2019, in Naperville, Ill. at the age of 84.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Carolyn Merryman. He is survived by daughter Brenda Laird (David), son Brad Merryman (Cathi), seven grandchildren who knew him as G-Dawg, and brother Lowell Merryman.
He was born in Lincolnville, to Mary and Knoefel Merryman. He had deep ties to the Lake Wawasee area, spending time during the summer with his family and father Knoefel, a United Methodist Minister, at the Oakwood Hotel and Methodist Camp. His life changed there when he met the only love of his life, Carolyn Jones, both working at the Oakwood Hotel restaurant. After falling in love, they were married in July 1953. They both attended and graduated from Indiana Central University (University of Indianapolis).
Mr. Merryman had a successful career in marketing with the Amoco Oil Company (BP Amoco) before retiring and building/operating several self-serve car washes in Fort Wayne. An avid golfer, he was a member and past president of Tippecanoe Lake Country Club in Leesburg. He was also a boating and water sports enthusiast at Lake Wawasee, and past president of the Indiana Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, previously with Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse.
He was a life-long University of Notre Dame fan, and in recent years a Chicago Cubs baseball fan. He flew the ‘W’ Flag with strict discipline, only raising after a Win and taking down after a Loss. The ‘W’ Flag was flying on his door when he passed on Aug. 2, as the Cubs had just beaten the Milwaukee Brewers.
A private family celebration of life will take place.