John Alden Merrick, Jr., 84, of New Kensington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

He was born March 20, 1939 in New Kensington to the late John A. Sr., and Vivian Malcolmson Merrick, and was a 1957 graduate of Ken-Hi.  He also attended the University of Pittsburgh and received an associate degree.  

Mr. Merrick was a United States Air Force Veteran.  He was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church and the VFW Post 92 of Lower Burrell.  He enjoyed camping, boating, traveling, golfing, bowling and helping his late wife Roberta Scholze Merrick with the school she founded, Bethel Nursery School. 

He was a salesman for over 30 years for Union Electric Steel in Carnegie.  

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his twin granddaughters in infancy, Jami and Jennifer McKruit; and his aunt Judith Leiby. 

Surviving are his children, John A. (Shannon) Merrick III, Cristen (Brian) Speedy, Susan (Jason) McKruit and Robert (Valerie) Merrick; grandchildren, Nick (Tristen) Speedy, Sara Speedy, Hannah Speedy, Samantha Geracia, Tyler Merrick, AJ (Dede) McKruit, Noah McKruit and Vivian Padron Merrick; two great-grandsons, Elijah McKruit and Ellis Speedy; siblings Stephanie (Robert) Corley and William Merrick; and uncle Bob Fisher and aunt Sebia Crum.   

Viewing will be on Monday, December 18, 2023 from 2-4 & 6-8 in ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a service will be held on Tuesday at 11AM followed by Military Honors conferred by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard.  Private burial will be in the Linesville Cemetery in Crawford County.