"To the Entire Eatherton Family; May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "
In loving memory of
MERRITT ASA EATHERTON
September 9, 1926 - November 21, 2010
Merritt Asa Eatherton, 84, of Columbia City, IN went quickly, but safely and peacefully home to his Lord and Saviour at Parkview Whitley Emergency Room, Columbia City at 3:37 am Sunday, November 21, 2010. He was born on September 9, 1926 in Fostoria, OH the son of Asa Brayton and Nora Mae (Vanderhoff) Eatherton.
Merritt was raised in Fostoria and Wharton areas and graduated from Wharton High School with the Class of 1944. He proudly served in United States Navy and on April 23, 1947 he married the love of his life, Maxine Joan Corbin at the Wharton Church of God parsonage. They began their married life by operating an 80 acre dairy farm for many years, in the meantime, he also worked for Cobey Farm Equipment and other Cobey enterprises in Bucyrus, Kenton and Gallion, OH. He retired after 20 years service as the Vice President and General Manager of Eagle Crusher in Gallion. In 2004 he and his wife moved to Columbia City to be near family. He was a member of Wharton and Columbia City Churches of God. At the Wharton Church of God he served as an Elder for 32 years, Sunday School Superintendent for 15 years, Sunday School Teacher for 20+ years, Deacon and Chairman of Church Board. He also had an amazing 54 years of perfect attendance at the Wharton Church of God. For the Ohio Conference of the Churches of God he served on the Board of Finance as Treasurer, Financial Secretary, President of Laymans Association and on the Executive Board as Member at Large. He also taught and served as a Dean at Camp Otyokwah . For the Churches of God General Conference, he served as President of C.G.W.B for 6 years, delegate to General Conference and for several years he served as Trustee of Winebrenner Seminary, Findlay, OH where he also attended classes to further his education. He was a very active member of the Wyandot County Camp of Gideons International, before moving to Indiana in 2004 to be near family. Merritt was an avid Ohio State sports fan. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren to sporting events and he loved anything shared with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Maxine Joan Eatherton, Columbia City; 2 children, Bob (Deb) Eatherton of Columbia City and David (Bethany) James, Grandview, TN; 3 grandchildren including, April (Stephen) Isar and Christin (Adam) Jones both of Fort Wayne and Jennie James, Lincoln, NE; 3 great grandchildren, Alissa Mae Isar, Sierra Dahlia Isar and Joanna Maxine Jones all of Fort Wayne; 1 brother, Dale Lavern Eatherton, Fostoriaand 1 sister, Ruth Louise Mathias, Fostoria. He is preceded in death by 1 brother, Maynard Francis Eatherton and 2 sisters, Olive Mae Rathbunn-Gilhouse-Gilette-Kimble and Janet Kay Krupp-Stock.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2010 and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 both at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with Pastors Jim Martin and Johnny McCallister, of the First Church of God, Columbia City, officiating. Visitation will also be held at the Wharton Church of God, Cass Road, Wharton, OH on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 10-11:30 a.m. with funeral service immediately following with Pastor Joe Carney, officiating. Committal services with military graveside rites will follow in the Wharton-Richland-Union Cemetery, Wharton. Memorial bequest may be given in Mr. Eathertons memory to either the First Church of God Building Fund, Wharton Church of God Mission Fund or to Gideons International. Envelopes will be available through the funeral home. To send family condolences or to sign the guest register please log on to www.demoneygrimes.com
Tributes
"First cousins Scoot and Asa always enjoyed each other.Sorry to hear about Merritt.You're in our thoughts and prayers. "
"You are in our thoughts and prayers. Remembering all the good times we shared. Sincerely, JR and Georgie"
"I will always remember Merritt as one of the good guys at the Wharton Church of God. He had a sincere concern for all those around him and was a true servant of Jesus Christ. I know he is in Heaven chatting with my dad right now and smiling down on all of you. I know your hearts are heavy and I hope your fond memories will help ease the loss over time. God Bless you all. Audrey"
"We have and continue to celebrate the life of Merritt.I was honoredto be his pastor, and he wasa mentor and co-worker as elder that I will forever treasure.His life as a teacher, servant and witness, with the assistance of his faithful and committed wife, Maxine, has certainly contributed immeasurably to the building and extension of the Kingdom of God.We offer our sympathy to Maxine and Bob with whom we have had continuing contact and to each member of the family.We celebrate with you his presence with the Lord."
"Bob - I am so sorry to hear about your Dad.He was a wonderful man and a good friend to many.He was one of the cornerstones of the Wharton Church of God and a good and faithful servant.He is in heaven right now with Mom and Dad, Skippy Opper, Bob McMaster and all the others who have gone before him.You are all in my prayers."
"Thankfulness comes in different packages, and in different situations. I know how much "Dad" meant to you through the thankful look in your eyes and the tone in your voice every time you mentioned different things your dad did.I'll always remember your excitement wanting to set up home for them in Indiana.This will be a memorable Thanksgiving for all of us who had the privilege to share in that joy with you. Larry & Ruth"
"To Bob and family, Special memories of Wharton First Church of God always include my dad, your dad, Jack Opper, and numerous others.Mom still keeps me informed of the WHAT and WHO of the church even though her health prevents her attendance much of the time.I am sorry for your loss.Just know that I am thinking of you and your family this week. Love in Christ, Elaine"
"I was happy to learn to know Maxine and Merritt in a small group at Columbia City Church of God. Merritt was a wonderful example of a Christian. I was always amazed at his knowledge of the Bible. I thank God for his life and his example.He will be missed. Sincerely, Linda Sutton"
"BOB, DEB, APRIL AND CHRISTINE, EACH OF US IS GIVEN PRECIOUS TIME TO SPEND ON EARH, BUT WE KNOW THE JOURNEY LEADS US TO HOME OF GREATER WORTH.SOMETIMES THE FATHER TAKES US DOWN A PATH NOT OF OUR CHOICE, BUT WHEN IT LEADS TO HEAVEN, HOW OUR HEARTS AND SOULS REJOICE!AND EARTHLY CARES ALL VANISH WHEN AT LAST WE HEAR GOD SAY, "WELCOME HOME, MY PRECIOUS CHILD, I LED YOU ALL THE WAY." MAY IT COMFORT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE LOVING ARMS WHICH NOW EMBRACE YOUR LOVED ONE ARE THE VERY SAME ARMS HOLDING YOU CLOSE IN YOUR SADNESS. WITH LOVE AND OUR PRAYERS YOUR FRIENDS AND OLD NEIGHBORS ROSE AND JANET BERNICE SCHRADER '"
"Merritt was a very good friend of ours.He was a valued member of our Sunday School class at the First Church of God in Columbia City.While we are spending our winters in Texas, he would write e-mails to us to tell us about other members in our Sunday School class.But now he has been "promoted" to another world in Heaven. -- The Berrys"