Merton James Harrell, 77

Merton James Harrell entered his heavenly home May 22, 2019.

He was the first of six children born to Joseph Robert and Evelyn Frances Harrell.

Merton loved his family, Native American culture and baseball. He was on the all-star teams for four years in Little League and Babe Ruth, won a Varsity letter in baseball and was asked by the St. Louise Cardinals to attend training camp but said he couldn’t leave the love of his life, Joy. He continued sharing his love of baseball through coaching and umpiring for many years. He was also a lifelong student of Native American culture and took many artifact-hunting trips to the desert with various friends and family. He loved to share his treasures and knowledge with elementary school kids.

He was a creative person who loved to draw, carve, flint knap, bead and sing with his guitar.

Mert worked as a civil engineer technician and retired from the Forest Service after 41 years.

Mert had a generous, loving spirit and easily made friends with all he met. His greatest love, however, was his family. He loved to play with his kids and grandkids and made up the best stories, did magic tricks, whistled like a bird, and dressed up to entertain them.

He was preceded in death by his parents and eldest son, James Scott Harrell.

He is survived by his wife Joy, five siblings, two daughters, Mylinda (Keith) Klein and children Anne’, Nyla and Mason; and Tracy (Dallas) Sullivan and children, William, Robert, Christina and Thomas; and son, Dennis (Candice) Harrell and children Katie, Kryssie, and great-grandson, Harley, and daughter-in-law Vielka Walters and children Candice and Joseph.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at Darlington Cremation and Burial Service 3408 Highway 2 East.