John Milton Merritts

   John Milton Merritts, 82, of Juniata, Altoona, passed peacefully at the Allegheny Lutheran Home in Hollidaysburg on Saturday, July 23, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

   He was born November 28, 1933, in Huntingdon, son of the late Luther Eliot and Iva Mae (O'Donnell) Merritts.  He married Darlene Joy Diffenderfer on September 27, 1958 at the Juniata Church of the Brethren.

   He is survived by his wife of 57 years. Darlene and four children;  Tim (Sharon) of Altoona, Lisa (Jim) Hite of Duncansville, Lori (Dom) Dugo of Jacksonville, N.C., and Lynne Daniels of Perkins, OK; seven grandchildren; T. J. (Ashley) and Ricky (Sarah) Merritts, Crystal, Jason (Amy) and Megan Hite; Gemma and Dominic Dugo; six great grandchildren; Eva Augustyn, Jordan, Josh and Maylea Merritts; Lilly and Harper Hite; and a sister Leona Hayden of Punxsutawney.  He was preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Miller and Pauline Geiger.

   John loved fishing, baseball and football, following all the local and Pittsburgh teams.  He was a 1952 graduate of Huntingdon High School.  He retired from Strohmann's Bakery and was well known as a handyman, always helping out friends and neighbors.

   Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2016, and from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Mauk and Yates Funeral Home, Inc., Juniata.  A funeral service will be held at 11am Wednesday with Rev. Timothy Geiger, officiating.  Interment at Blair Memorial Park, Bellwood.