Obituary of Norman D. Merrill

Norman D. Merrill, 87, formerly of 2156 Swanson Road, died Sunday January 28, 2024, in Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing. He was born July 16, 1936, in Cherry Creek, a son of the late Kenneth and Erma Lietz Merrill. He was a 1954 graduate of Pine Valley Central School where he played all sports including basketball where he was the point guard for the undefeated team of 1952-53. He went on to graduate from SUNY Delhi. Prior to his retirement he was employed for 17 years by WCA Hospital as construction manager. He earlier had worked for L.H. Ludwig Construction as foreman for 25 years. He was a member of Christ First United Methodist Church and former member of Camp St. United Methodist Church. His other memberships include Rotary, Carpenters Union, and singing with the Barbershoppers for 18 years. He and his wife Helen were very involved in the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown. Over the course of 50 years Norm constructed 131 sets for the various productions at the theater. Surviving is his wife Helen Swiniarski, whom he married August 24, 1957; two sons David (Terry) Merrill of Albion, PA and Mark (Leticia) Merrill of Winston-Salem, NC; three grandchildren Kristina (Taylor) Trotti of Georgetown, TX, Sean Merrill of Kingston, NY and Lindsay (Aubrey) Russell of Jamestown; three great grandchildren Archer, Damon and Sofia Trotti; two sisters Janice Merrill of Jamestown and Delores (Art) Scott of South Dayton and a brother Donald Merrill of Lakewood. The funeral will be held at 1 pm Thursday in Christ First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from noon to 1 pm Thursday in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lucille Ball Little Theatre, 18 E 2nd St, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.