Jul. 22, 1923 - Dec. 16, 2016
Date of Service: Dec. 30, 2016
John C. Merrill
BURLEY – John Churchill Merrill, age 93, of Burley, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at his home in Burley.
John was born in Toronto, Canada, on July 22, 1923, to Alexander Raymond Merrill and Coral Ghuita Granfield. After high school, John served his country during World War II and the Korean conflict in the United States Army. He later married Mary Louise Soule on March 12, 1954, at the Pasadena Calvary Baptist Church in California.
He was active in his southern baptist faith throughout his life and he most recently was a member of the Crossroads Bible Church in Burley. As a member of various communities in which he lived, he devoted his time to the Search and Rescue, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, as well as an assistant Scout master, and Indian Guide.
John worked for many years in Los Angeles county, California, on the road crew, forest service, and for the sheriff department. He also worked during his post-retirement years for R&H Machine in Idaho.
He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, tinkering with cars, boat building, woodworking; raising parakeets, rabbits, chickens, turkeys and pigeons; being the assistant Scout master, and his time in the Good Sam Club.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary Louise; his children, Don (JoAnn) Merrill of Heyburn, Alan (Patsy) Merrill of Burley, and Gary (Angela) Merrill of Pheonix, Ariz,; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-dad, Harry Gledhill; son, David Merrill; infant brother, John C. Merrill; step-sister, Verna Tandy; and step-borther-in-law, Toby Tandy.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E, 16th St., in Burley, with Pastor Brian Livermore and Pastor Mike Johnson officiating.
Friends may call at the Rasmussen Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday preceding the service.
