Stephen Merrill

Stephen Merrill, 86, of Stevensville, passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 17, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Christopher Noffke officiating Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 12:00 P.M. until 1:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Those wishing to share a memory of Stephen may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Stephen was born June 28, 1926 in Benton Harbor, MI to Murvin and Hazel (Leitz) Merrill. He served his country in the United States Army from 1944 until 1946. Stephen worked for Clifton Engineering as a Lineman for 20 years and retired from the City of Niles as an electrician. On June 24, 1950 he married Evelyn Sill in St. Joseph. He was a member of the Stevensville American Legion and was a Constable for Lincoln Township. In his spare time he enjoyed working at the Berrien County Youth Fair as an electrician for over 30 years, bowling, polka, and watching wrestling. Stephen is survived by his wife Evelyn Merrill of Stevensville; son Terry Merrill of Stevensville; daughter Susan (John) Collins of Stevensville; two grandchildren Christopher Collins of Lawrence & Stacy (Larry) Kingman of Benton Harbor; two great grandchildren Bryce Barfell-Collins and Emma Young of Benton Harbor; brother Otho (Barbara) Merrill of North Carolina. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Jessica Kaye and brothers Murvin Jr. and Charles Merrill.