SGT. MERRILL IS LAID TO REST
Sgt. Hairman M. Merrill, one of the sixteen Ecusta veterans to give
his life in World War II, was laid to rest Sunday afternoon, July 25, in the
cemetery of his home church. Little River Baptist.
The high esteem with which young Merrill was held was shown by the
large crowd attending the funeral—a crowd which overflowed into the
^rhurch yard. He was employed in Champagne February 7, 1941, as a gum
ming operator and left for military service December 24, 1942. He was
killed in England, April 17, 1945.
The impressive service was in charge of the Brevard V.F.W. Rev.
John Anderson, Hairman’s pastor when he entered service, read several fa
miliar verses of comfort from the scriptures and after a prayer, the East
Hendersonville quartet sang, "God’s Way Is The Best Way.” Rev. Sher
man Patterson paid additional tribute to his life. The quartet concluded
the service in the church with the song, "Under His Wing.”
Rev. Walter P. Baldwin, pastor of the Brevard-Davidson River Pres
byterian church and chaplain of the local V.F.W., was in charge of the
graveside service. The honor guard fired the customary three volleys and
Rev. Baldwin presented Mrs. Merrill with the flag. The sounding of taps
concluded the service.
The lovely flowers which were banked high around the grave were
tokens of friendship and admiration of Hairman’s host of friends. Many
folks from Ecusta were present, several of them taking part in the service.
Sgt. Merrill was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Merrill and he is sur
vived by two sisters—^Mrs. Miriam Rice of the Champagne Office and Mrs.
Syble McCrary of Little River whose husband is employed in the Machine
Room.
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