IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Jack C.
Merrill
July 16, 1933 – November 25, 2021
Obituary
Jack C. Merrill, 88, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2021 at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney, NE. Jack was born in Toledo, Ohio July 16, 1933 to William E. and Flosse (Stuckman) Merrill. He attended school in Colby, Kansas.
Jack served in the U.S. Navy from November 18, 1950 to May 14, 1954. After completion of EN "A" schooling in May 1951 he served onboard the LST 529 ship as part of the Seventh Fleet during the Korean conflict. During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; the United Nations Service Medal; the Korean Service Ribbon (with 3-stars) and, the Good Conduct Medal. Jack was also a "Paid-Up-For-Life" member of the Central City Nebraska (Lone Tree) American Legion Post #6.
On November 15, 1952 he married the love of his life, JoAnn Lenhart in McCook, NE. After being discharged in May 1954, they moved to Dighton, KS where they farmed for four years. They moved back to McCook, NE in 1958 where Jack was a route salesman for Debus Bakery. In 1965 they purchased a grocery store in Wood River, NE and named it Merrill's IGA. At the same time they built, co-owned, and ran another successful business in Wood River called the Kool Kone Drive-in. After selling the Kool Kone and IGA store, Jack & JoAnn moved to Central City, NE in 1972. Jack drove for Morgan Drive-Away & Atlantic Homes. In 1975 Jack worked for the City of Central City and became their City Electrical Superintendent. He retired in July 1995. JoAnn passed away in October 1998. Jack moved to Corpus Christi, TX to be near a daughter and son-in-law. In October 2019 Jack moved into the newly constructed Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney, NE where he resided in the Delta Wing (dementia care center) until his passing.
Jack is survived by his four children: Cheri (Elwin) Sperling of Corpus Christi, TX; Kris (Rick) Dubbs; Kathy (Dan) Boroff; and Mark (Ellen) Merrill, all of Grand Island, NE and brother, Robert Merrill, in California. Others left to cherish his memory include 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, JoAnn.
Private family inurnment will be held at a later date in the Westlawn Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. The family encourages folks to sign Jack's online condolences guest book at: www.curranfuneralchapel.com under his obituary.
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Jack C. Merrill's Guestbook
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