Howard ‘Whitey’ Merrill

November 11, 1945 - June 30, 2017

Whitey (Howard) Merrill, 71, of Crawfordsville, passed away Friday, June 30, 2017, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette. 

Whitey was a farmer, carpenter, and the former co-owner of The Lost Frontier in Thorntown with his wife, Melody.  He lived in Thorntown for 61 years prior to relocating to Crawfordsville in 2007. He was currently retired and enjoyed playing cards, basketball and croquet. He enjoyed gardening and landscaping, birdwatching, hunting, camping and fishing, and riding in his pink golf cart.

Whitey was born Nov. 11, 1945, in Lebanon, to Lawrence and Allegra (Young) Merrill.   He graduated from Thorntown High School in 1964, and also attended Indiana State University.

He married Melody (Morley) Threlkeld on April 16, 1991, in Las Vegas, and she survives. Also surviving are siblings, Barb Merrill (Harold) McPeak of Lebanon, Pat Merrill (Oscar) Howell of Lebanon, Ronnie (Cynthia) of Thorntown, Keith (Ronna) of Frankfort, and Joyce Merrill of Thorntown.   He was preceded in death by brothers, Donald and Leon; sister, Betty (Merrill) Gaither; and stillborn siblings Jimmy and Mary.

Also surviving are his children, Missy (Tim) Freels of Lafayette, Chris Harth of Kansas, Joby of Bunker Hill, Andy of Russiaville, Erin (Kurt) Watson of Lafayette; and a stepson, Dan Rusk of Atlanta. He has nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at Hunt and Son Funeral Home in Crawfordsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 6, at the funeral home; burial will immediately follow at Oak Hill North Cemetery, Crawfordsville.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.   Online condolences may be left at www.huntandson.com.

Published on  June 30, 2017