Cecil Merritt

WAPPAPELLO - Cecil Vernon Merritt, 70, died June 15, 2002, at the Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff.

Born Oct. 25, 1931, at Brosley, he was the son of the late Effie and Clinton Merritt.

On Sept. 2, 1967, at St. Louis, he married Elva Mae Dunn, who preceded him in death Dec. 25, 1994.

Survivors include: three sons, Walter Vernon Merritt of Malden, Cecil Ray Merritt of Michigan and David Merritt of Mississippi; four daughters, Brenda Palmer of Florida, Carolyn Nakken of Tucson, Ariz., Peggy Lilya of Phoenix, Ariz., and Regina Greasing of Orlando, Fla.; a half sister, Nellie Lutter of Poplar Bluff; and 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation begins at 6 p.m. today at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. LeRoy Young officiating.

Burial will follow in the Portageville Cemetery.