MERRILL MYERS

Merrill Allen Myers

Of Kennett Square, PA, Merrill Allen Myers, 84, died on Friday, August 27, 2010, at the Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

He was born in Kennett Square to Benjamin I. Myers and Anna Walters Myers. He was a 1943 graduate of Kennett Consolidated High School and together with his close friends Joe Ted Pennock and Dick Preston were known as the 'Three Musketeers." Merrill served as a flight officer in the Air Force where he became a pilot and bombardier. He attended cadet school in Big Springs, Texas where he played on the baseball team. He was known as "another brilliant mound artist" for the Cadet team. He was priming for professional ball before donning khakis. The Big Springs team once played an opposing team of which Ted Williams was a member. Merrill also made it to the Phillies spring training camp but never continued playing because of a car accident that injured his pitching arm. Merrill was not only a star baseball player but he set a record of 50 points in one game playing in the American Legion basketball league.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Myers, and their three children Pamela Waters of Dover, Delaware, Norris A. Myers Sr. and Merrill Myers Jr. of Kennett Square. He was also married to Ann Winchester with whom he had a son, Benjamin I. Myers II, now residing in Michigan. He leaves behind eight grandchildren, Norris A. Myers Jr. (Narnie), Merrill A. Myers III (Beetle) of Kennett Square, Cody Waters of Dover, Delaware, Zackary and Kaitlin Myers of Kennett Square, and Anna, Sarah and Ethan Myers of Michigan. He is also survived by his devoted daughter in law, Karen Myers, wife of Norris A. Myers Sr.

Merrill was a life long resident of Kennett Square and together with his father operated Longwood Nurseries for Hallack S. DuPont. They employed as many as 26 men at one time and also maintained Squirrel Run Estate, the Delaware Push Mobile Derby, and Hallack DuPont's hunting preserve. Longwood Nurseries grew hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas and various other trees and shrubs.

Merrill was a member of the Freemason's Lodge #475 in Kennett for 64 years. He was also a Shiner of the Nur Temple and a member of the American Legion.

Merrill will be especially remembered for his love of the outdoors. He was a skilled hunter, fisherman, trap shooter and all around outdoorsman, where the woods was his church. He was also an avid collector, a member of the NRA and a retired member of the Watershed Sporting Club. He also loved to play golf. As a right wing conservative he and his beloved dog Misty loved to listen to Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck daily. He also had a love of big band music and dancing. He was an accomplished saxophone player and once played with Chris Sanderson and the Pocopson Valley Boys.

A Celebration of life will be held at 6 pm, on Thursday Sept. 2, at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 415 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kennett Masonic Lodge #475, 121 Center Street, Kennett Square, PA. 19348, to the attention of Joseph Evans, or to The First Baptist Church of Kennett Square at the address above.

The family expresses their thanks to the nurses and doctors at the Chester County Hospital and the Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, for their care, help and support. Special thanks to his daughter in law Karen Myers for all her devotion, care and assistance.

Arrangements are being handled by the FOUNDS FUNERAL HOME, Inc., West Chester.

Online condolences may

be made at

www.foundsfuneralhome.com

610-696-0134