STACYVILLE and PATTEN – Marshall W. Merry, 88, went to be with the Lord May 26, 2006, at Mount Heights Nursing Home in Patten. He was born July 31, 1917, in Sherman Mills, the son of Harold S. and Nina (Cox) Merry. Marshall graduated from Sherman High in 1936 and began his career farming in Sherman, where he raised potatoes and had dairy cows. When his brother, Gerald, returned from serving in World War II they founded Merry’s Dairy with a herd of registered Guernsey. They delivered milk to the area, covering Sherman and Sherman Station. In 1956, he purchased the “Summit Farm” in Davidson and farmed there for 30 years. He was a well-respected member of the dairy farmers in the local area and Southern Aroostook County. He served two terms on the A.S.C.S. board and was an active member of Dairy Herd Improvement Association, D.H.I.A. He was a member of the Grange and the Molunkus Lodge No. 165, Sherman, a volunteer fireman in Sherman and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Sherman Station. Marshall and his wife, Rita, enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, dancing and playing bridge with their friends. They also liked going to movies and reading. Together they owned and operated “Hunter’s Haven Camp” in Davidson, where they made long lasting friendships with people from Virginia. He is survived by his daughter of his first marriage to Edith Heath, Glenda and her husband, Frederick Whitney and their children, Andrea Martin of Fort Worth, Texas, Lori Martin of Brewer, Douglas Martin and his wife, Amy, of Ellsworth, Craig Martin of Bangor, Carl Martin and his fiance, April, of Brewer, Deborah and her husband, Dwayne McNally, of Wallingford, Conn. and Frederick Russell Whitney Jr. and his wife, Bobbi Jo, of Houlton; his son by his second marriage to Uretta Nelson, Michael Merry and significant other, Karen McCall, of Hermon and his children, Kevin Merry and his wife, Pamela, of New Market, N.H., Michelle and her husband, Michael Seaman, of New Castle, Kathy and her husband, Bill Jason, of Winslow, Jared Merry of Orono, Justin Merry and his fiance, Tiffany, of New Market, N.H., Brent Lee of Glenburn, Jennifer Lee and her husband, Ron Betters, of Old Town; four stepchildren from his third marriage to Virginia Flanders Dickinson, Frank Dickinson of Patten, Robert Dickinson of Woodville, Roberta of Dexter and Bonnie of Corinth; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Alda Borden of Mount Laurel, N.J.; sister-in-law, Elgah Merry of Sherman; two nieces and five nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Gerald Merry; niece, Claudia Jane Borden of New York City, N.Y.; his first wife of nine years, Edith Heath, who died of cancer at home. He provided much of her care himself. His second wife of 46 years, Rita Nelson, who spent the last six years of her life at Gardner Nursing Home in Houlton, where his father, Harold, was during this time. Marshall faithfully visited them everyday and helped in assisting with their care. He made many friends with the staff and continued to volunteer several days a week after their deaths in 1994. His third wife of nine years, Virginia Flanders Dickinson, also died of cancer. She devotedly cared for him when his health was failing, until he went to a nursing home. Marshall often remarked how lucky he was to have three happy marriages to such special women. The family would like to express our thanks to the staff at Mount Heights Nursing Home in Patten for the loving care Marshall received there. Friends may call 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Sherman Station where funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Interment will be in the Sherman Mills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in Marshall’s memory may do so to the American Cancer Society, care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579, Houlton, ME 04730.