Former Martin High School athletic director, teacher and coach Ronald Allen “Ron” Merrill, 76, of Allegan, died Sunday, Sept. 16, at Briarwood Assisted Living.
Born March 9, 1942, in Allegan, he was the son of Floyd and Mildred (VanKeuren) Merrill and was the husband of Joyce (Bowditch) Merrill.
Ron was a graduate of Wayland High School. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University. Ron dedicated his working life to enriching the lives of young students as a teacher, athletic director and coach at Martin Public Schools. He also taught drivers education, both through the school system and at Century Driving School.
Ron’s commitment to athletics in Martin showed in that he coached virtually sport. He was athletic director during the 1987-88 school year in which Martin won state championships in football and wrestling and was runner-up in girls’ basketball. Another highlight was during the 1996 and 1997 school year when he was the co-director of the MHSAA State Wrestling Finals.
Ron was inducted into the Martin Hall of Fame for his years of service to the community. He was a member of the Kentwood Community Church, and was actively involved in Winding Creek Camp in Hastings.
Besides his wife of nearly 52 years, he is survived by his children, Robert “Rob” Merrill and wife Jennie, Jennifer Lawson and Jaclyn Johnston and husband Jake; a sister, Mary Merrill; seven grandchildren, Jacob Merrill, Sally Merrill, MaKayla Lawson, Marvin Lawson, Megan Johnston, Macy Johnston and Matthew Johnston; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 20. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SE, Kentwood, with visitation an hour earlier.
Private committal services will be held at Hudson Corners Cemetery, Allegan Township.
Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association West Michigan Chapter, 678 Front Avenue, Suite 410, Grand Rapids, MI 49504; Winding Creek Camp, c/o Aileen Coffey, 161 Summit Street, Allegan, MI 49010; or Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Boulevard, Holland, MI 49423.
