John Ira Merritt

Published 9:06 am Wednesday, July 11, 2018

January 14, 1953 – June 25, 2018

John Ira Merritt, age 65, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 25, 2018, at St. Charles Hospital in Bend. He was born January 14, 1953, in Prineville, to Ira J. and Sarah M. (Campobasso) Merritt.

John prided himself on working hard to provide for his family, including many years at Ira’s Sales and Service, then starting his own business with Martha Merritt, JMMerritt Trucking, and ending his working career as a union pipeline construction worker.

John enjoyed spending his downtime hunting, fishing, and visiting the family cabin in Republic, WA. He will fondly be remembered by many friends and family alike for his kind heart and generous spirit. It was John’s family that brought him the most joy.

He will lovingly be remembered by his children, Alison (Mike) Wild, Anthony Merritt, Sarah (David) Wiesner, Haley (Marc McQuade) Merritt; his grandchildren, Nathan Martinez, Cyanna Haselip, Isabelle Haselip, Elizabeth Wiesner, and Sailor McQuade. John was thrilled to be promoted to the level of great-grandpa with the arrival of Caraline Haselip. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on July 28, 3:00pm at 101 NW Jefferson St, Madras, OR.