Clarence Merrill

SOUTH PARIS — Clarence H. (“Sonny”) Merrill, 89, died Sunday, April 12, 2015, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

Born in Poland on Aug. 8, 1925, he was the son of Clarence C. and Esther Martin Merrill. After graduating from South Paris High School in 1943, he served as a medic in WWII with the Army Medical Enlisted Transportation Detachment aboard the troopship SS Bienville. He made 17 round trips across the Atlantic to ports in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Norway and Africa, and twice participated in troop exchanges at Normandy.

In 1944, he married Marjorie M. Burns, who passed away in 1976. In 1978, he married Bernice Paine Kane. Mr. Merrill was a founding member of the American Legion Foster Carroll Post 72 in South Paris, serving in all the offices including Commander (1957) and Finance Officer (27 years). He also was a member of the Paris Lodge No. 94 AF&AM, joining in 1959, and serving as Master (1967) and Treasurer (1971–1999). Since his retirement in 1990, he enjoyed woodworking, working in his yard, dining out, and keeping in touch with friends and family on his computer.

He is survived by his wife of Oxford; sister Eloise Collette of South Paris; son Steven M. Merrill of Norway; daughters Virginia M. Rice of Harrison and Linda M. Tenney of Springfield, Va.; stepdaughters Donna Staples, Mary-Ellen Louque and Karol Smith, all of Oxford; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren and seven step-great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Gloria Komulainen of Standish.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Family and friends may attend visitation at the funeral home on Saturday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Paris Lodge #94 AF&AM will conduct public Masonic services at 6:30 p.m., followed by Foster-Carroll American Legion Post #72 at 6:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to a charity or community organization of your choice will be appreciated.