Merrill W. Shirk Jr., 88, of Mifflintown passed away at 4:40 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at the Locust Grove Retirement Village, Mifflin.
Born on February 18, 1929 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, he was a son of the late Merrill Sr. and Eva (Stimely) Shirk. His wife of nearly 65 years, Carrie Mae (Diven) Shirk, survives.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his sons, Ron Shirk and his wife Debbie, of Mifflintown, Tracy Shirk and his wife Tammy, of Bloomsburg, 3 grandchildren, , Justin Shirk and his wife Jaime, of Shippensburg, Jayme Bloom and her husband Tyler, of Baltimore and Jesse Shirk of Bloomsburg, also 2 great-granddaughters, Kira and Katie Shirk.
He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
Mr. Shirk was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, the Crawford-Brubaker VFW Post No. 5863, the American Legion Post No. 298 all of Mifflintown and the Brotherhood of Railroad Brakeman Union. He also volunteered for the Juniata Meals on Wheels and at the Juniata County Food Pantry.
In earlier life he started his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad, later he worked for the Penn Central Railroad, until retiring in 1983 as a Freight Brakeman/Conductor from Conrail with 31 years of service.
Merrill enjoyed hunting with his sons in Licking Creek and for 25 years he loved fishing for flounder at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Del. He will long be remembered for his gift of refinishing furniture and woodworking.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown with the Rev. Terry Brosius officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Memorial Gardens, Mifflintown where the Juniata County Veterans Council will be accord full military burial honors.
Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday.
For those who wish, memorial donations in Mr. Shirk’s memory may be made to the Mifflintown Hose Co. No 1, 510 Washington Ave., Mifflintown, PA 17059.