James R. "Jim" Merrill

NEWARK: A celebration of life service for Dr. James R. "Jim" Merrill, age 78, of Newark, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, at Spring Hills Baptist Church, 1820 Newark-Granville Road, Granville with Pastor Gary Kirkpatrick officiating.
Dr. Merrill, died Friday, July 23, 2010 at his residence. He was born June 4, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Dr. Willis B. and Mary Alice (Graham) Merrill.
Dr. Merrill served his country during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army - 4th Armored Division. He then transferred to the Jeep Band where he played the trombone. Jim graduated from The Ohio State University majoring in Fine Arts and Interior Design. He took a position at Lazarus Department Store in Columbus and met his wife, Dixie, who was a dental hygienist. With the encouragement of Dixie, he enrolled in OSU's College of Dentistry and graduated in 1965 with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Jim was then recruited by Patterson Dental Co. to come to Newark and setup a practice. He and his wife opened at 874 East Main Parkway, living upstairs and seeing patients. They retired after 34 years of service in 1999.
Jim was a past member of Christ United Methodist Church serving in the capacities of pastor/parish relations chairman, choir member, Sunday school teacher as well as the creator of the puppet ministry. He later transferred his membership to Spring Hills Baptist Church. Jim's hobbies included model building, his life long passion of playing the trombone, telling stories and making people laugh. Dr. Merrill will be remembered by his family, patients/friends as a humble, gentle, caring and loving man with many talents.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie of 51 years; children, Matthew (Debbie) Merrill of Versailles, Kentucky, Andrew (Stacey) Isenhour Merrill of Atlanta, Georgia and Mary Alice (Rev. Mark) Edge of Memphis, Tennessee; grandchildren, Schuler, James, Zoe, Coleman and Claren; brother, Bill (Shirley) Merrill of Taylorsville, North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his infant son, Jonathan; sisters, Harriet and Gwen.
Friends may call from 5 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, at the church. The Heath Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to LICCO, 600 Industrial Parkway, Heath, OH 43056 or the Look Up Center, 50 O'Bannon Avenue, Newark, OH 43055. Please visit www.hendersonvanatta.com to view a memorial and to leave a message of condolence for the Merrill family.