CORDEN W. MERRITT, 98 years of age, entered into heaven on June 28, 2014. He was born on May 7, 1916, in Huntington, W.Va., to the late Robert E. and Armilda Queen Merritt. He is also preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 70 years, Thelma Spry Merritt; son Barney E.; sister Hattie Brunty; and brothers Shirley and Virgil. He is survived by two sons, one daughter and two daughters-in-law, Corden "Bill" and Linda Merritt of Marana, Ariz., Barry Merritt of Huntington, W.Va., Becky Estes and Don Greer of Milton, W.Va., and Patty Merritt of Dumfries, Va. In addition, he is survived by 15 grandchildren, Kem Merritt, Jon Merritt, Geoff Merritt, Mai Merritt, Cari Merritt, Timothy Merritt, Tammy Merritt, Randy Merritt, Krista Merritt, Dennis Merritt, Sean Merritt, Chanda Dilks, Leslie Webster, Travis Mullins and Ashley Toukabri; 18 great-grandchildren and one great- great-grandchild. Mr. Merritt was raised in Logan County, W.Va., and worked in the coal mines for 24 years. In 1960, he moved his family to Hammond, Ind., and worked for Inland Steel for 20 years. After raising their family, he and his wife retired to Harts Creek in 1979, until they found their permanent home in Milton, W.Va., in 1981 and remained there until 2010 when they moved to Huntington. Mr. Merritt was a member of the Milton Baptist Church and helped found the Milton Senior Center. He will be remembered for his love of family and sense of humor. He was a loving husband, wonderful dad and the world's best pa paw. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Heck Funeral Home, Milton on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. and a celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 3 at the funeral home with Pastor Allen Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Milton Cemetery.