Marie A. (Siskovich) Merritt

     Mrs. Marie A. (Siskovich) Merrit, 91, a resident of Wilkes-Barre's Parsons neighborhood, passed peacefully into Eternal Life early Saturday morning while in the care of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, following a recent illness.

     Born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1930, she was the last of four children to the late William and Anna (Shepko) Siskovich.     Educated in the city schools, she was a member of the 1948 graduating class of the former James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre.

     Mrs. Merritt began her career working the billing department at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.  Once she began raising her own family, she became employed by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, starting in the school cafeteria and ultimately working her way to administrative assistant at the time of her formal retirement, realizing over twenty years of dedicated service.

     While her boys were still young, she was involved with the former Parent-Teacher Association at Sacred Heart Slovak Parochial School; was active with the Parsons Athletic League and served as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Troop #182.

     In her spare time, she was an avid Penn State football fan who truly enjoyed time spent with family and friends; be that bowling with the seniors; her card club and bingo groups; visits to Mohegan Sun or the weekly Sunday brunch trips to the Bear Creek Inn with Bill Mitchell.

     She was preceded in death by her husband of thirty-eight years, Mr. Rudolph "Rudy" Merritt in 1988; by an infant son, Gary; by siblings Mrs. Dorothy Lavage in 1993; Mr. Theodore "Ted" Siskovich in 2001; Mrs. Ann M. Rollman in 2019 and by her former daughter-in-law, Laurie Ann (Walkowiak) Merritt in 2014.

     Above all else, Mrs. Merritt is remembered for her love of family; her gentle, maternal ways and always being a woman of grace.  She will be greatly missed by all those she touched in this life, especially her beloved sons; Glenn Merritt and his wife Jill of Charlotte, NC; Rudy Merritt and his wife Ellen of Cumming, GA; and Michael A. Merritt and his fiancée, Mary Weaver of Wilkes-Barre, with whom Mrs. Merritt resided;  her seven adoring grandchildren, including Jacqueline Merritt Ernst; Christopher Merritt; Rudy Merritt Jr.; Kristin Merritt; Katy Merritt Saunders; Michael Merritt Jr. and Zack Merritt;  Six great-grandchildren, Camden and Quinn Ernst; Piper Merritt; Gwenyth and Warren Merritt; Andrew Saunders, and her dear friend and companion, Mr. William Mitchell of Bear Creek; numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     Funeral services for Mrs. Merritt will be conducted on Thursday with her funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Saints Peter and Paul Parish, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Township.  The Reverend John C. Lambert, pastor, will serve as celebrant and homilist.  Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Cemetery of Saint Andre Bessette Parish, Dorchester Drive, Dallas.

     Relatives and friends are cordially invited to join the Merritt family for visitation and shared remembrances directly at church Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.  In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations are appreciated in Mrs. Merritt's memory to the charity of the donor's choosing.

     The John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre is honored to care for our friend, Mrs. Merritt and her family at this time.  

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