Eugene L. Merrill, Sr.

Eugene L. Merrill, Sr., 80, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, March 7, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born in River Rouge, Michigan, Gene moved to Jonesboro in 1972 from Lansing, Michigan. He was a retired Export Manager for FMC Corporation where he worked for 33 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Gene was Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the National Rifle Association. He was a charter member and past president of the World Trade Club of Northeast Arkansas and was appointed to the Arkansas District Export Council.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Merrill of the home; 2 sons and daughters-in-law: Eugene, Jr. and Nancy Merrill of Jonesboro, and Joe and Judy Merrill of Fayetteville;

2 daughters and sons-in-law: Anita and Mike Reagan of Van Buren, and Mary and Tommy Tucker of Jonesboro;

3 brothers: Bob Merrill of Trenton, Michigan, Larry Merrill of Wyandotte, Michigan, and George Merrill of Traverse City, Michigan;

2 sisters: Ann Grace of St. Johns, Michigan and Joan Bates of Louden, Tennessee;

5 grandchildren and their spouses: Josie Merrill, Malisa and Al Klug, Christy and James Thompson, Kyle and Julie Cook, and Brandon Cook;

5 great grandchildren: Al Klug, IV, Madison Thompson, Alex Thompson, Cooper Cook, and Macy Cook.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Father Mark Wood officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Active pallbearers include: Gary Wells, Ed Dubar, Anthony Bartels, Gene Moody, David Ferguson, and Roger DeRoeck; Honorary pallbearers include: members of the Knights of Columbus, Wayne Masterson, and Carl Vaupel.

Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, 5-7, at Emerson Funeral Home. A rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Blessed Sacrament Building Fund, 614 S. Church, Jonesboro, AR 72401.To View MEMORIAL VIDEO