EAST LIVERPOOL – Howard L. Merriman, of East Liverpool, passed away Friday morning, October 18, 2024, on his wife's birthday, at Stone Pear Pavilion following a lengthy illness. He was 96 years old.

Born in Chester, August 8, 1928, he was a son of the late Theron and Mina Peterson Merriman. He graduated from East Liverpool High School and was a member of the Riddle Lodge 315 of the Free and Accepted Masons in East Liverpool. Howard worked as a welder at Quaker State for over 26 years until his retirement. Previously he worked at the former Patterson Foundry.

He was preceded in death by his wife, R. Gayle Merriman, whom he married September 27, 1947. He was also preceded by one son, H. Wayne Merriman, three sisters, Irma McCoy, Darla Rearly, and Carol Merriman, and four brothers, Frank, Ralph, Kenny, and Lenny Merriman.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: three daughters, Marsha Black and her husband, Paul of Poland, Ohio, Kathy Myers and her husband, Dave of Chester, and Kimberly Willey and her husband, Dave of East Liverpool; and two sons, Marvin Merriman of East Liverpool and Kevan Merriman of East Liverpool, as well as 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He also is survived by a sister, Karen Wiley.

Friends may visit the family on Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home where the Masonic Lodge will conduct a service at 6:30 p.m. Dave Willey, Chaplain, Howard's son-in-law, will officiate a service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Columbiana County Memorial Park.

Immediately following the service, family and friends will gather at the Dawson Family Center.