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John Merrel Obituary
Hanover
Pastor John Wesley Merrel, 78, entered into God's eternal care on Monday, January 11, 2016, at York Hospital. He was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth C. (Grimes) Merrel, who passed away June 10, 2006.
Born June 7, 1937, in Mountain Top, he was a son of the late Harry E. Merrel II and Althea (Frankenfield) Bane.
John worked for Doubleday, Hanover Cab, Tim Bar Paper, Klinedinst & Reichart Lumber Company and retired from Hanover Wire Cloth. He also started and was the pastor of the Good News Independent Church for 20 years, and was always preaching and praying for others. He was a strong Republican who enjoyed spending time with his family, bowling with Harry and rooting for the New York Yankees.
John is survived by his children, Denny Merrel and his wife Rosa of Pheonix, Ariz., Kathy Adams and her husband Michael of New Oxford, and Suzanne Ruppert and her husband Brian of Hanover; stepchildren, Wayne H. Fuhrman of Mountville, Warren A. Fuhrman of New Oxford, Wanda G. Morehead of Hanover; siblings, Harry Merrel and Jean Bettger; grandchildren, Michael Adams II and his wife Stephanie, Sarah Adams, Nicholas Adams and his fiancée Abigail Larson, Jenn Merrel, Ian Merrel and Brittany, Breanna and her fiancé Logan Becker, Brooke, Brynne, Brandi and Braden Ruppert; great-grandchildren, Ethan Powell, Alyssa Powell, Chase Sanders, Albany Sanders, Nathan Adams, Arianna Merrel, Jacyn Weltz and Jenna Beit; his first wife, Dolores Carrozza; and much beloved and constant companion, his little dog, Faith.
In addition to his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by his stepfather, Percy "Tommy" Bane.
A service to celebrate John's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Good News Independent Church, 201 Wirt Ave., Hanover. A time to share memories with the family and an opportunity to view will be on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wetzel Funeral Home & Crematory, 549 Carlisle St., Hanover, and again on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hanover.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Pastor Merrel's memory, please vote Republican.
To share memories of Pastor Merrel and to view a video tribute, please visit
wetzelfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Merrel
5 Entries
David Miller
February 3, 2016
i wish to send my condolences, he will be greatly missed. Praying for the family through the loss a man. God Bless
Melody Lherisson
January 14, 2016
I will miss your humor & have great memories of you coming to the house to sing & visit.
Barbara Stevens
January 14, 2016
John Rest in peace and God bless your family.
Kathy Adams
January 14, 2016
Oh Dad can't believe your gone, missing you so much already.
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Diane Kuhn ,Laughman
January 14, 2016
John was my Uncle Gary's best friend .He was there for him when he was sick always giving a helping hand .My uncle past away in June and John made trips to york hospital to see Gary and pray for him .What a wonderful friend he was now they are together in Heaven .R.I.P. John.
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