ELLSWORTH – Dr. Delmont N. Merrill, 84, president emeritus, Husson University, died April 19, 2010, with his children by his side at a Bangor hospital. Del was born Aug. 5, 1925, in Ellsworth, the son of Osmon and Eugenia (Walker) Merrill. Del graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1943. He served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1946. A veteran of the assault on Iwo Jima, he was awarded a number of medals. He spent six months on active duty in Japan at the end of the war. On March 30, 1946, Del was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. Del returned to Ellsworth and continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Education degree and a Certificate of Advanced Study. In 1986 Husson awarded Del a Doctor of Business Administrator degree for his 34 years at Husson in administrative positions. Del started his career as a teacher at Sumner High School. During his 39 years in education he held positions that included teacher, coach, athletic director, professor, vice president and college president. Del’s final position at Husson was that of president, serving from 1978 until his retirement in 1987. Del’s participation in organized sports spanned the era from 1939 until 1979. He was a star player, coach, director of athletics, a high school and collegiate basketball official, and served as state basketball commissioner from 1975 to 1978. After his retirement in 1987 from education he entered the family business, Merrill Blueberry Farm Inc., Ellsworth, and at the time of his retirement in 2009 he had served as president for 17 years. During his 22 years with the company, he was an active member of the state blueberry commission, Wild Blueberry Association of North America, trustee of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, trustee of Union Trust Co. and member of Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. Del was very active in both the Bangor and Ellsworth communities. During his career he received numerous awards in education, athletics and from the wild blueberry industry. Del is survived by two daughters, Colleen D. Russell and husband, James, of Eddington and Linda D. Sparks and husband, Robert, of Holden; a son, Robert D. Merrill and wife, Susan, of Ellsworth; sister, Joyce M. Johnston of Ellsworth; a brother, Richard O. Merrill and wife, Josephine, of Hancock; grandchildren, Kevin McPherson and wife, Kristin and their children, Calahan and Camden; Brian McPherson and wife, Courtney and daughter, Maddie; Kimberly Grover and husband, Kenny and son, L. Jacob; Lindsey Sparks and Corey Sparks; stepgrandson, Jarrod Leyendecker and wife, Maija; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased in 2007 by the love of his life and wife of more than 57 years, Elizabeth (Smith) Merrill; and a sister, Constance M. Wilson. Friends are invited to call 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 26, with the Rev. Bob Carlson officiating. Private interment with full military honors will be held at Woodbine Cemetery, Ellsworth. Those who desire may make contributions in Del’s memory to the Delmont & Elizabeth Merrill Scholarship Fund, Husson University, 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME 04401 or Mary Dow Cancer Center, 50 Union St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
DR. DELMONT N. MERRILL
