Merrill "Jerry" O. Walker, 87, Veteran of World War II

Born May 12, 1916 in East McKeesport, PA, he was raised in Elyria and graduated from Elyria High School in the class of 1934. He has been a resident of Amherst for the last 60 years.

Merrill was a 39-year employee of The Amherst Post Office, retiring in 1973 as Postmaster. In his honor, The Amherst Post office flew flags at half-mast. A veteran of World War II, he served in Company C, 620 Infantry Battalion. He was past commander of The American Legion Post #118 in Amherst and co-chaired the committee to get a new American Legion Home built in Amherst. He was a past Chef De Gare of Lorain County Voiture #149 of the Forty Et 8. He was a past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1442 of Amherst. Merrill was among the first civil defense workers in Amherst and also a member of Amherst Auxiliary Police. He also held all the offices in the County District #9 and was also a State Trustee. As a young man, he organized and founded the Amherst Jaycees and also served as past president and was a winner of the Distinguished Service Award. He also earned the First Annual Dr. C. H. Snell Memorial Award as an "Outstanding Young Man." Later he was instrumental in chartering the Amherst R.E.A.C. (Retired Eagles Activities Club.) As a true sports fan, Merrill also headed the committee to build the first press box and scoreboard for the Amherst Comets. He was a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ in Amherst.

Survivors include his sons, James Michael Walker of Redwood Shores, CA and Gerald Denise Walker of San Jose, CA; his daughters Mary Kay McDermott and Cheryl Ann Jones, both of Lorain, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years Christine (nee Sederis) Walker on January 1, 2000; and by his parents Frank and Lyla (nee Manning) Walker.

Private funeral services were held Thursday at Hemple Funeral Home, Amherst, with the Rev. Mary Pemberton, pastor of St. Peter United Church of Christ, Amherst, officiating. Burial was at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Peter United Church of Christ; 582 Church St., Amherst 44001 or the Lorain County Salvation Army; 2506 Broadway, Lorain 44052.