John R. Merwin Sr., 80, of Perryville, Parker, passed away Wednesday morning at his home following an extended illness.

Born in Akron, Ohio, July 26, 1929, he was the son of the late Richard M. and Lida Lepley Merwin.

He was a graduate of the former Parker High School.

He was employed by the Glass Containers Corp. at Parker until the plant closed. He then became night watchman for Allied Security at the former Quaker State Refinery at Emlenton.

John was involved many years with the Cub Scout program as pack master in Perry Township. He also was the coach of the Pee-Wee softball program at the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School.

He enjoyed raising beagles as well as being a noted stamp collector. While enjoying hunting and fishing as a sport, he thoroughly enjoyed sharing these sports with his sons.

He was a member of the Perryville United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Gloria Guntrum Merwin, who he married June 8, 1951; one daughter, Lorraine Hagan and her husband, Michael, of Valparaiso, Ind.; three sons, John Merwin Jr. of Perryville, Kenneth Merwin and his wife, Janet, of Parker and William "Bill" Merwin and his wife, Kathy, of Parker; one brother, Homer D. Merwin of Perryville; one special niece, Linda Pettigrew of Leechburg.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Forrest D. Merwin, who passed away Feb. 8, 1992; a brother, Wayne Merwin; and a sister, Wilda Steele.

<B>MERWIN </B>—<B> </B>Friends of John R. Merwin Sr., who died Wednesday, July 14, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, 201 S. Wayne St., Parker. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Perryville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Hernan, church pastor, officiating. There will be no viewing at the church. Interment will follow at Perryville Cemetery.Information also is available at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.