Edward Hopkins Merrill

August 14, 1930 - April 10, 2016

Edward H. Merrill, Sr., 85, of Pineville, passed from this life on Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Grace Home, Alexandria, Louisiana.

Edward served in the Ohio Army National Guard and graduated from Ohio State University with Master Degree in Music Education. He taught music at Oak Hill High School in Hineston, Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware Ohio, Covington High School in Covington, LA, and Buckeye High School in Deville. He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Rosier Merrill; granddaughter, Antonia Robinson; parents, Robert, Sr. and Dorothy Hopkins Merrill; sister, Barbara Merrill Mote and brother, Robert P. "Mike" Merrill, Jr.

He is survived by his sons, Edward H. Merrill, Jr. and wife, Cherry Duncan, Russell Andrew Merrill and wife, Rhodora Lachica and Phillip Lee Merrill and wife, Charlotte Grant; daughter, Melinda Lou Merrill Bartch and husband, David Bartch; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.

Memorial services celebrating the life of Edward H. Merrill, Sr. will be held at 12:00 pm, Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Unity Baptist Church, Deville with Dr. Jack West and Reverend Jason Dubea officiating, under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria. Visitation with family and friends will be at the church from 11:00 am until the time of service.

Edward played alto horn as a marching band member from 1948 through 1950.