Denver Merritt Sr.

Denver Merritt Sr., age 88, of Carmi, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Deaconess Henderson Hospital, Henderson, Kentucky. He was born in East Lynn, West Virginia on October 25,1936 to Fletcher and Mamie Eplin Merritt.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Davetta (Betty Ann) Cummings Merritt; sons, Denver Jr. (Jay) Merritt (Lisa) of Paoli, Indiana and Terry Lee Merritt (Trinity) of Henderson, Kentucky; daughters, Teresa Ann Merritt of Shoals, Indiana and Sherrie Merritt-Emberton (Shawn) of Mitchell, Indiana; grandchildren, Jeremy, Berney, Bob, Bill, Benita, April, Amanda, Graham and Kaleb,14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Ted Merritt of Fort Myers, Florida; multiple nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Truman Merritt, (Baby) Merritt, Clyde Merritt, Newman Merritt, Bueford (Boots) Merritt and Chester Merritt; two sisters, Violet Merritt and Shirley Paine.

He was graduate of Man High School, in Man, West Virginia (Class of '55), and a lifetime coal miner from the hills of West Virginia (Amhearst Coal Company), to Tennessee (Consolidated Coal Company), then to Kentucky (Retiki, Pyro), and ultimately retiring from Pattiki in 1991 in Carmi, Illinois.

He served in the United States Army Reserves and attended the First Baptist Church of Carmi.

Also, coming from a Scouting family, he managed the position of a BSA Tender Foot and was appointed Cub Master (Master of Ceremonies) for the cub scouts in the early '60's.

His interests and hobbies were, traveling in his motorhome throughout the USA, including to his "bucket list" location of the Myan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. He was an annual "Winter Texan" in McAllen. Outside of his family, his prized possession was his 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT that he took to multiple car shows winning hundreds of trophies. He was a member of the Fairfield, Illinois Misfits Car Club for 20+ years.

He enjoyed blazing down trails of Colorado, Utah, and Paoli, Indiana ski slopes, where he took his wife, children, most all of his grandchildren and often friends, with him. Not only did he enjoy the snow, but the water of the lakes drew his attention to boating and water skiing. Annual camping every 4th of July was a constant with family and friends. As an owner/partner in Honker Haven Hunting Club - Sauerheber Refuge - Henderson Kentucky, he spent many hours hunting deer, ducks and geese with friends.

On rainy days, you could find him on his computerized chess game, playing cards and dominoes while listening to the Platters. Family, friends, gardening, and yard work were his passion. By many, he will be greatly missed as he touched each one in his own special way. He always had a story or a joke for you.

In an expression of gratitude, we would like to acknowledge Danny Wooton, Mike Vancleve, Richard Roser, and Ted Wood as his close and special friends.

Our special thanks to Tomblinson Funeral Home Henderson Chapel, Deaconess Gateway, Deaconess Midtown, Ferrell Hospital in El Dorado, Illinois, Egyptian Home Health, Joyner therapy clinic, and home health therapists.

A celebration of life will be at a later date.