Adrienne J. Merritt

Adrienne “Addie” J. Merritt, age 82 of Venango, PA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the Crawford County Care Center following a brief illness.  She was able to spend 7 ½ hours with her husband by her side, after being transferred from Pittsburgh to finish her time on earth. Addie was born June 8, 1934 in Youngstown, Ohio the daughter of the late Fred A. Mehlo and Lucille Clara Brocious Mehlo.  Adrienne was raised by her cousin, Mary Katherine Osborne and her husband Clarence “Perk” Osborne in Clark, PA.  Addie married Gerald “Jerry” W. Merritt on October 12, 1957 at the Venango United Methodist Church.   Addie was a 1952 graduate of Hickory High School, Sharpsville, PA.  After graduating from high school, Addie worked at the Protective Home Life Insurance Company in Sharon. She would also take trips to Cambridge Springs where her half sister operated a restaurant.  That is where she fell in love with Gerald.  After marriage, Addie had worked a few years and then became a full time housewife wife raising five children.   She was of the United Methodist Faith, enjoyed word search, watching television, especially in earlier years the daily soap opera’s.  She also served four years on Venango Borough Council along with her husband.  She loved her cat Tom-Tom who watched over her at night, as she would tell people.  She, along with a few other ladies, had started the Venango Diet Club. She adored her grandchildren and spending time with them. Addie is survived by her husband of almost 59 years, Gerald W. Merritt of Venango, PA, two daughters: Catherine A. Smith and her husband John J. of Venango, PA, Deborah S. Zimmer of Venango, PA, three sons: David W. Merritt of Crossingville, PA, her twin sons: Kevin G. Merritt and his wife Regina P. of Cochranton, PA and Kenneth G. Merritt of Venango, PA, six grandchildren: Jesse Merritt of Whiteville, NC, Jeremy Smith and his wife Rosalie of Great Lakes, Illinois, Justin J. Smith of Venango, Katlyn Zimmer of Venango, Alison Merritt of Cochranton, and Abigail Merritt of Cochranton, a great grand-daughter: Ashley Merritt of Saegertown, her cousin who was like a brother to her, Richard “Dick” Osborne and his wife Carol of Pulaksi, PA  She is further survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, Addie was preceded in death by her cousin who raised her, Mary Katherine Osborne and her husband Clarence Osborne, and other cousins who she spent time with during school vacations, Anna Laskaris, Walt Coppinger, Ray Coppinger and James Coppinger, her step-father Horace Harone and her half-sister Margaret Woodward.   Family and friends are welcome to call on Friday from 7 to 9 pm and on Saturday from 11 am until time of the funeral service at 12 noon at the Kenneth G. Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory, 614 Baldwin Street, Meadville, PA 16335 (814) 720-3193, with Pastor David Brumagin and Pastor Marshall Lilly, officiating.   Inurnment will be in the Venango Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorials can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in care of the “Grotto Fund”   25997 PA 27, Guys Mills, PA 16327 or to the Hospice of Crawford County 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335. The family would like to express sincere thanks to Jennifer Musone and the Crawford County Care Center employees who arranged services to accommodate both Addie and Jerry to share their last few hours together, and to Yetta with Hospice of Crawford County who comforted the family at mom’s passing, as well as others within Hospice, who helped with getting her home. Please sign Addie’s online guestbook at hatheway-tedesco.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the KENNETH G. MERRITT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 614 Baldwin Street, Meadville, PA 16335