Billy Roger “Rogie” Merritt, 57, of 355 County Road 480, Harvey, entered eternal life Sunday evening, December 11, 2005, at his home, in the comforting care of his family and the caregivers of Lake Superior Hospice.

Roger was born September 22, 1948 in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, a son of Billy and Eukie (Prater) Merritt. He was raised in Prestonsburg and was a 1967 graduate of the Prestonsburg High School. On August 26, 1967 he married Phyllis A. Collins in Clintwood, Virginia, and soon after the couple moved to Ann Arbor where they resided from 1967 to 1975. In 1975, they moved to the Marquette area where Roger was employed as a plant repairman with the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company at the Tilden Mine, and later at the Empire Mine, prior to his retirement. In his leisure, Roger was an avid NASCAR enthusiast, enjoyed attending four-wheel drive races, camping, hunting, and most of all spending time at his camp.

Survivors include

His wife: Phyllis

Daughter: April (Casey) McGinnis of Bay City

Son: Brad (Renee Jensen) Merritt of Harvey

Grandchildren: Michael and Amanda Thompson, Logan Horstman, and Mason Penkala

Sister: Glenda Sue Hood of Chattanooga, TN

Brothers: Ronald (Debbie) Merritt of Manchester and Donald (Barb) Merritt of Clinton

Several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Delmar Keith Merritt.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Thursday, December 15, beginning at 4:00 pm. A Service of Remembrance will follow at 6:00 pm with Rev. Charles Tooman, Lake Superior Hospice chaplain, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 326 N. Front Street, Marquette, MI 49855.