David H. Merwin

The ole sailor slipped his earthly moorings for an anchorage somewhere in eternity on February 9th 2012, at his home in Dowagiac, surrounded by family. He was born in Wayne Township, Cass County, Michigan, at his grandparents house. The first house on Gage Street, East of Rudy Road, on Easter Sunday morning, April 16th 1933, to the union of Orrin David and Mary Louise (Bower) Merwin. He was the eldest of eight children. In addition to his parents he was preceded by his son Shaun ( September 22nd 2010), his brother Thomas (January 31st, 1969) and his sister Marie ( October 23rd 2010). David attended the old Oak Street school, the rural one room Gage Street School and Dowagiac High School. At the completion of his sophomore year, he decided not to return to class that fall, and on July 17th 1950, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After graduation from basic training at Great Lakes, his first assignment was the U.S.S. Macon CA-132, a heavy cruiser home based in Philadelphia, PA. During twenty -three years of service, he served aboard five heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, the battleship New Jersey, the Presidential Command Ship U.S.S. Wright CC-2, a submarine tender and a destroyer. During his Navy Career he was on the White House Staff with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He shore duty stations included, Blackbushe, England, Philadelphia, PA, Norfolk, VA, Holy Loch Scotland, and as recruiter in charge, in Niles Michigan.In August 1957, he arrived at Blackbushe, England, a small Navy Airport, located 40 miles South of London for a three-year tour of duty. In November, while riding on a double-decker bus going into Sandhurst, he saw a pretty young lady window shopping. After making inquiries and finding out that she was a beautician, and also worked at a local café, he stopped in to see her. In December of the same year, they started dating and on April 19th 1958, he married the love of his life Millicent May Barefoot, a marriage that lasted 53 years and 9 months.This union produced four children, all of which served their Country. Debra USAF, Shaun USMC, Alison USN, and Mark U.S. Army. Their father was extremely proud of this dedication and service.Upon retirement in 1973, he joined the Dowagiac Police Department as a Captain, and graduated from the Police Academy, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A year later, he resigned to become Undersheriff at Cass County Sheriff’s Department in Cassopolis Michigan, where he remained until January 1978, when he resigned to become Chief of Police in Dowagiac, a position he held for fifteen years, retiring in 1993. At age 40, to further his education while in law enforcement, he used the law enforcement education program grant money, and the G.I. Bill to attend Lake Michigan College, where he graduated with a BA Degree in Applied Science. Then he attended Western Michigan University for a BA in Criminal Justice, and an MA in Educational Leadership. For many years he was active in the community. He was a life member for Dowagiac Elks Lodge #889, serving as treasurer for seven years, secretary for thirteen years, Exalted Ruler, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Southwest. A member of the Dowagiac Rotary Club, serving as president in 1982. He was a recipient of the Red Rose Citation, and a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was a life member of Cass County Shiner’s, a life member of Argowan Lodge #1425 F and A Mason’s Inverkip, Scotland, and of Peninsular Lodge #10 F and A Mason’s in Dowagiac. He is survived by his wife Millicent, his daughters Debra (George) Picard of Rapid City, South Dakota, Alison (Michael) Tomasi, of Carteret, New Jersey. His son Mark (Shannon) Merwin of Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, his ten grandchildren, Robyn, Ashley, Morgan, T.J., Tim, Toby, Alissa, Connor, Braedan, and Alaina, and one great-granddaughter Madelyn. He is also survived by his brothers, Danny (Claudette) Merwin, and Bill (Judy) Merwin all of Dowagiac. His sisters, Nancy Hudson (Florida), Celia Harrington and Jane Ferrier of Dowagiac. Sister-in-law Carole (Hardy) Merwin of Florida. His aunt Betty Merwin of Cassopolis, Joan (Bower) (Gordon) Lockyer of Oklahoma. Sister-in-Law Pat (John) Hodge of Western Australia, daughter-in-law Sheri Merwin of Georgia, and too many to count nieces, nephews, and cousins in the United States, Canada, England and Australia. He is also survived by his Navy Families in PA, MD, NY and NC, and his friends and neighbors in Myrtle Beach SC. A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday February 15th, 2012 from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. at Yazel & Clark Chapel in Dowagiac, David’s memorial service will begin at 4:00 P.M. Burial will be held on Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at Riverside Cemetery, in Dowagiac with Military Honors. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory at www.yazel-clark.com. Family requests that donations be made to the Elks National Foundation – c/o Dowagiac Elks, and Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice, Kalamazoo, Michigan.”Haste Ye Back “Merwin” De Dieu Tout