D. Eugene Merrick

Age 89, of East Sparta, passed away Wed., Oct. 20, 2021.  He was born Nov. 11, 1931 in Dellroy, OH, a son of the late Doyle and Pauline (Couts) Merrick, and had been an East Sparta resident since 1937.  Gene was a 1950 graduate of East Sparta High School.  He retired in 1994 from The Timken Co. after 35 years' service, where he was a grinder and a semi-truck driver.  Gene was a member of East Sparta United Methodist Church, which he served as Chairman of the Church Board for a number of years.  He was honored as Man of The Year in 2001 during the Homecoming Festival by the East Sparta Business and Civic Association.  He was an avid bowler for many years, drove a school bus for Sandy Valley local schools for a long time, and was a member of Isaac L. Kinney American Legion Post #244.  Gene honorably served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

In addition to his Parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mabel A. Merrick, on March 29, 2019, a daughter, Cyndi Brown, on Sept. 9, 2018, and a brother David Merrick.  Gene is survived by three daughters and one son, Karen and Wayne Rambaud, Valerie and Gary Nolen, Stephanie and Charles Mathews, and Gary and Janet Merrick, 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one soon to be born great-grandson, a son-in-law, Don Brown, two sisters and one brother, Bronwyn and Ken Schlegel, Melody and Tom Roush, and Randolph Merrick.

Services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia with Pastor Joshua Daniels officiating.  Friends may call Sunday 2-5 p.m.  Interment will be in East Sparta Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Condolences may be made to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425