Robert Merritts

December 5, 1918 - April 1, 2004

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Services:
  A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 9:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Michael Jones officiating. Interment will follow at 11:00 AM in the Maryland Veteran's Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

Visitation:
  Public Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, April 8, 2004 from 5 - 8 PM
  Robert "Bob" Merritts, 85, of Lexington Park, MD died April 1, 2004 in Lexington Park. Born December 5, 1918 in North Braddock, PA, he was the son of the late Lester and Veronica Konechy Merritts. He was the husband of the late Rita Irene Lacharite Merritts. He was father to Karen J. Richer of Mansfield, MA, Robert S. Merritts of Lexington Park, MD, Gary W. Merritts of Abingdon, MD and Nancy L. Merritts of Durango, MI. Mr. Merritts was brother to Claire Shepherd of N. Versailles, PA, Carol Allison and Cheryl Mitchell of Monroeville, PA, Cynthia Kramer of Wilmerding, PA, Claudia Petkervich of Pittsburgh, PA, David Merritts of Hadson, S.C. and Jack Merritts of Lawrenceburg, TN. He is also survived by six grandchildren. Mr. Merritts joined the United States Navy in 1938 and retired as Senior Chief on August 7, 1959. He and his family lived in Hawaii for two years. He served in the Aviation Division on the Battleship USS West Virginia and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. In 1958 â?? 1959 he was in the first group of senior chiefs selected, retiring in 1959. Mr. Merritts came to the St. Mary' County area in 1949, where he was an agent for Union Mutual and was the First President of Southern Maryland Underwriters Association. He also owned and operated Merritts' Polyclean in Lexington Park retiring in 1989. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 8, 2004 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 9:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Chapel with Reverend Mike Jones officiating. Interment will follow at 11:00 AM in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD. Pallbearers for Mr. Merritts will be John Bacon, Winston Dillard, Donald Richer, Eric Richer, Wayne Stockford and Christopher Watt. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 and/or St. Mary's County Office On Aging, Meals On Wheels Program, P. O. Box 653, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.