Emmett Orlan Merrill

Emmett Orlan Merrill, 78 of Stephenville, a beloved son, brother, and uncle went home to his heavenly reward on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

Emmett was born on June 18, 1944, in Kountze, TX, the third of five sons to the late Archie and Aline Brown Merrill. Emmett was raised in Kountze, attending public school, and graduating from Kountze High School in 1963.  After graduation Emmett enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving during the Vietnam War. After serving 10 years in the Air Force Emmett returned to civilian life.

On July 28, 1967, Emmett married Myrna Clydene Leftwich, although they later divorced, they remained best friends and spoke weekly until Myrna’s death in 2017.

Dubbed the “fun” Uncle by his numerous nieces and nephews, Emmett was an amateur geologist and historian spending time hunting for fossils all over Texas. Emmett held many positions during his life, but traveled to Farmington, NM in the 1980’s where he would spend the next 20 years building fences. After retirement in 2009, he moved to Stephenville to be closer to his brother.

Emmett is survived by his brother Robert Louis Merrill, of Livingston, TX, sisters-in-law Betty Jo Merrill of Milton, LA and Phyllis Elaine Merrill of Saratoga, TX, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and former wife, Emmett is also preceded in death by brothers, Clayton Gilbert, Enoch Allen (E.A.) and James Edward Merrill, and by a sister, Rita Mae Merrill.

Graveside services for Emmett will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17th at Chalk Mountain Cemetery in Chalk Mountain, TX.