David D. Merritt Obituary, Death – David D. Merritt, who was 57 years old and lived in Saegertown, died at home on November 29, 2022, with his family by his side. David’s parents, Carmen E. and Vina E. (Lilley) Merritt, had him on June 3, 1965, in Meadville. David married Melanie Walker on June 14, 1986. She is still alive. He was a member of the Saegertown Twelve Apostles Lutheran Church.
David graduated from Saegertown High School in 1983. He played baseball, football, and wrestling for the school. David served his country in the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army. He joined the Army on January 7, 1986, and served his country as a member of that division. After getting an honorable discharge on January 6, 1990, he stayed in the Army National Guard for another four years. During his time in the military, he did 21 jumps and earned the Sharpshooter Badge, the Hand Grenade Expert Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Parachute Badge.
David went on to get his bachelor’s degree with High Honors from Edinboro University, all while raising a family and working full time. He worked for Greenleaf Corporation for 33 years, until the day he died. David was known for giving everything he did his “perfectionist” all. He loved teaching young athletes how to wrestle and play softball for girls. He was a Sports First Aider for many Saegertown sports teams for a long time. He loved being outside and spending time with his family in the woods or on the water. He loved golf, archery, fishing, and hunting, especially for deer, rabbits, and turkey. “Poppy can fix it!” was what David’s family said about him.
He was very good at figuring out what he could and could not do, and he had a lot of “handyman skills.” David was known for doing things the right way. He was very competitive, but he was always fair when making decisions. He is and will always be the strongest person in his family. He made a difference in the lives of many people in his area. Even in the last days and hours of his brave 3 1/2-year battle with cancer, David was determined to make as many happy memories as he could with his grandsons and all of his other loved ones, who meant the world to him. He will live on in their hearts forever.
David is survived by his wife of 36 years, Melanie; his children Amber Bradshaw (Patrick) and Kyle David Merritt, both of Saegertown; his two beloved grandsons, Connor and Cole Bradshaw; his parents Carmen and Vina Merritt; his brother Scott A. Merritt; and his in-laws Richard and Susan Walker, all of Saegertown.