Obituary: J.W. Merrell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[J.W. Merrell, 73, 23755 Galatia Post Road, Carrier Mills, died 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at his residence.

Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mils with the Rev. Deon Baker officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant (Poordo) Cemetery. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011, at the funeral home.

He was born on Feb. 21, 1938, in rural Williamson County to the late James and Fern (Chase) Merrell. He married the former Frances Harness on Aug. 17, 1957, in Peoria.

He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, a longtime member of the Harrisburg Hunters Club and an avid lifelong hunter and fisherman.

He was a retired coal miner, having spent most of his career at Old Ben Coal and BP Coal Company, having been mine manager at both.

He pastored Bethel Baptist Church, New Salem Baptist Church and Forest Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Merrell; two daughters, Debra (Steve) McKinnis and Denise Moss, both of Pittsburg; three grandchildren, Robbin (Robert) Andrews, James McKinnis and Kathryn Moore; five great-grandchildren, Jarred Davis, Ashtyn West, Gracelynn Andrews, Julianna Andrews and Zoey Moore; three brothers, James Merrell of Bossier, La., David Merrell of Freeburg and Terry "Rock" Morrell of Carrier Mills; two sisters, Janice Behn of West Frankfort and Darla York of Corinth; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Betty Merrell; son, Darrell Wayne Merrell; and a sister, Jeanette Owen.