Phillip "Red" Merritt, 78, was born in Pinch Run, Ohio, on Nov. 24, 1928, to Bessie and Herbert Merritt.
Red, at age 14, moved to West Liberty, Iowa, until the age of 18, when he joined the Army. He served as an MP and as a guard at the War Crimes Trials serving in Okinawa. He returned to San Francisco in 1950 and worked at Machado Dairy. Shortly thereafter, he took up hay banking for Al Anderson. In 1953, Red met Shirley Daily and they married in January of 1954.
Mike, their only child, arrived in February of 1955, and Red became a butcher at Stoven Brothers shortly thereafter.
In 1972, Red and Shirley bought the Dixon Frostie Drive-In and worked until July 2007, right up until the time of his unexpected illness.
Mr. Merritt is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Mike; daughter-in-law, Diane; grandchildren, Phillip and Michaela; as well as one brother, Bill.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.
A memorial service will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Dixon Moose Lodge.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Amanda Lord-Crisman
September 8, 2007
I'll miss you Red!
"Mandee"
September 8, 2007
Shirley,Mike, and Family
We are so sorry for your loss.I still can not believe Red is gone.He was a wonderful man.I'll never forget all the good times I had over the year's working with him..especially when he would play his Freddy Fender cd at work and sing along in Spanish,that always made me smile.Red will be missed by many people,who's lives he touched in way way or another.You are in our thoughts and prayers..Red may you finally be at peace,and no more suffering.
Love,
Cindy,Heather,and Trevor Tompkins
Della Sorensen
September 5, 2007
Shirley, Mike and Family
All of our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Red was a great person and will be greatly missed by all.
Love
Troy and Della Sorensen
Gene & Wanda Thiessen
September 5, 2007
Gene & Wanda Thiessen We will miss you.
Mary Jo Parde
September 5, 2007
Shirley, Mike and family,
Our hearts go out to you and our prayers are with you. Red was loved by so many people and will be missed by all. Shirley it was such a comfort to have you here at the time of mother's death. I wish I could be there for you now. We will be there with you in spirit on Saturday. When I think of Red, I will always remember his sense of humor.
Our love,
Del and Mary Jo
Ava & Norm Woodard
September 5, 2007
Merritt Family,
the loss of someone loved so much is so hard to bear, we greive with you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Red touched alot lives through his personality and of course his cooking. We will miss him very much. Love The Woodard Family
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more