Dec. 2, 1954 - July 1, 2011

MIDDLEBURY - Urcel E. "Ricky" Merritt, 56, of Middlebury, passed away at 7:44 p.m. Friday (July 1, 2011) at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Dec. 2, 1954, in Charleston, W. Va., to Urcel Richard and Glenna Mae (Foster) Merritt.

On Jan. 10, 1972, he married Evelyn Jane (Cavender) Merritt in Elkhart.

She survives along with a son, Jamie L. (Julie) Merritt of Elkhart; daughter, Ella M. (Michael) Ellsworth of Middlebury; sister, Tammy (Michael) Odiorne of Elkhart; brother, Keith Merritt of Elkhart; father, Urcel R. (Millie) Merritt of Elkhart and five grandchildren, Gage, Chelsea, Michael, Matthew and Tristen.

Ricky was preceded in death by his mother, Glenna Mae Merritt.

Ricky was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was employed as a welder for several years in the Elkhart County area. Ricky enjoyed spending time with his loving grandchildren, racing cars and was an avid NASCAR fan.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 1 hour prior to the 11 a.m. Thursday funeral service, all held at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor David Garty of Living Stones Christian Fellowship will officiate. Burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart. Military graveside honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19 of Elkhart.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.

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