Merrill Johnson Sr.

CAMBRIDGE CITY- Merrill Francis Johnson Sr., 81, passed away at Brickyard Health Care in Richmond, Indiana on Thursday afternoon May 28, 2026. A son of the late James and Elizabeth (Johnson) Case, Merrill was born in Connersville, Indiana on July 23, 1944. Merrill was a Proud Marine. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country from February 1, 1962 until his honorable discharge with the rank of corporal on May 30, 1966. Merrill married the love of his life, the former Shirley Canterbury in Alderson, West Virginia on October 9, 1965 and they were blessed with four children. Merrill worked as a machine operator at Ford-Visteon in Connersville and retired in 2001 after 35 years of service. Merrill was a member of the Lawrence H. Bertsch American Legion Post 169 in Cambridge City and a member of the former New Testament Baptist Church in Pershing. He was a devoted husband, father and grandpa and took pride in providing for his family.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Shirley Johnson; 4 children, Merrill (Traci) Johnson Jr., Angela (Barry) Crawford, Terry (Tonya) Johnson and Jerry (Julie) Johnson; 7 grandchildren, Ashley Johnson, Amanda Catron, Allison Johnson, Hayley Hamm, Ryley Crawford, Kasey Johnson and Joshua Gregory; 6 great grandchildren; half-sister, Kanda Hurst; 3 step-sisters, Georgia Steele, Barbara Reece and Juanita Huller; nieces and nephews.

Merrill was preceded in death by 1 sister, Carole Conningham; 2 step-siblings, Linda Harvey and James D. Case.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 1 p.m. on Wednesday June 3, 2026 at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Dublin. Pastor Scott Moistner will officiate. Burial with Military Honors provided by contingents of the United States Marine Corps and Post 169 will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.