OAKWOOD – Frank J. Merritt, 69 of Oakwood died 1:10 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Promedica Defiance Hospital. He was born June 22, 1951 in Clarksville, TN to the late Edward Glenn and Mavis Louise (Johnson) Merritt. He married Margaret Ellen Rayle and she survives in Oakwood.
Other survivors include four children: Michelle Gonzales of Payne, Lisa (Kent) Foster of Middlepoint, Jon (Debb) Merritt of Van Wert and Nicholas (Jessica) Merritt of Payne; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a brother, Bill (Bert) Merritt of Oakwood; a few aunts; and many cousins.
He was also preceded in death by a grandson.
Frank owned and operated Frank’s Body Barn. He was a Paulding County Deputy Sheriff and an original member of the Auglaize Township Fire Department. He retired from Defiance Metal Products. Frank enjoyed building street rods, traveling to car shows and working on his John Deere garden tractors. In later years he loved riding his Harley Davidson and fishing with his grandkids and great-grandkids.
Funeral services will begin 5:30 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Continental. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service Thursday with casual attire preferred. Mask are required upon entrance into the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Auglaize Township Fire Department at 21050 State Route 637, Defiance, OH 43512 or Paulding County Senior Center at 401 E. Jackson Street, Paulding, OH 45879
Condolences may be expressed at www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com
