Harold Dean Merritt Sr., the son of Clyde and Mary (Summer) Merritt, was born Nov. 17, 1934, at Summersville, Mo. He passed away March 10, 2019, at the age of 84.
He was united in marriage to Helen F. Morton on April 30, 1960. They were blessed with 58 years 11 months of marriage. To this union three children were born: Brenda, Harold Jr. and Brian.
Dean graduated from Summersville High School in 1953. After graduation, Dean joined the United States Army.
Following his service to his country, Dean went to work for United Parcel Service. Dean was the first man hired in the State of Missouri for UPS. He brought the first truck over from Illinois to St. Louis. Dean retired in 1994 after 36 years of employment with the company.
Dean enjoyed life and spending time with the love of his life, Helen. He had a green thumb, growing vegetables for the family and also enjoyed sharing them with anyone who wanted some. He loved to play bingo. Dean never met a stranger, and from all the years of being a UPS driver he knew everyone and always had a good story or joke to tell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Mary Merritt; father and mother-in-law, Roscoe and Mazie Morton; two sisters-in-law, Doris Jean Hurt and Ruby Morton; several brothers-in-law, Ray Morton, Merle Morton, Bud Morton, Eddie Morton, Harry Williams, Ronnie Hampton, Lavern Young, Jack Hurt and Russell Hobbs.
Dean is survived by his wife, Helen; three children, Brenda and husband, Greg, of Summersville, Mo., Harold Jr. and wife, Lisa, of Houston, Mo., and Brian and wife, Deloris, of Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, Tiffany, Brittany, Augustas and his wife, Kelly, and Taylor; one great-grandson, Connor; and four sisters-in-law, Betty Williams, Mary Hobbs, Beverly Hampton and Linda Young. Dean also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, family and friends who will miss him dearly.
Funeral services were 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Summersville Christian Church with Pastors Nate Cooper and Robert Medley officiating. Interment with full military honors was in the Summersville City Cemetery. Services were under the care of Bradford Funeral Home in Summersville.
