Everett Merrill

Everett P. Merrill, 90, of Cobleskill, New York, died Friday, October 13, 2017, at Albany Memorial Hospital in Albany, N.Y.

He was born in Craftsbury, Vermont, on June 17, 1927, the son of Wallace and Mary (Perkins) Merrill and was a long time resident of Cobleskill. He graduated from Craftsbury High School in 1944. After attending the University of Vermont, he taught Vocational Agriculture for 2 years in a Vermont High School. He was drafted into the Army in 1950 to 1952 and then was directly commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Reserves. Following his honorable military discharge, he attended the University of Vermont from 1952-54 and received a Masters of Science in Dairy Manufacturing. From 1954-57, he was employed by the State University of New York at Cobleskill as an Assistant Professor of Dairy Technology. He received his Ph.D. in Food Science from Michigan State University in 1961.

Everett was a teacher for 32 years at SUNY Cobleskill as a microbiology and food sanitation professor. After he retired in 1992, he had a water testing business where he tested water for the community and surrounding area.

In addition to his parents, Everett was predeceased by his brothers Robert and Leland Merrill. He is survived by his wife Phyllis of 60 years, their children Hardy Merrill and wife Cathy, Patricia Merrill, and his grandson Kieran Perry.

He was servant at heart for his community and was involved in the Zion Lutheran church and volunteered for activities such as Red Cross blood drives, driving cancer patients and installing life lines for Cobleskill Hospital, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, and preparing scout camps in the spring for Boy Scouts of America. He also volunteered at the Schoharie County Fair timing horse races in the summer.


Besides being a devoted husband and loving father, he loved spending time caning chairs, making soups in the crock pot, making personal gifts for family Christmas presents, traveling to and camping in Wells Maine, sailing on the windjammer Mary Day, visiting family in his home town of Craftsbury Vermont, gardening in the raised rock garden he built behind their house, and so many other things. Everett especially valued quality time with family whenever possible. He always enjoyed pulling pranks on dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Mereness Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY. The funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the funeral home with Rev. Steffen Zehrfuhs officiating. Burial will follow in the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery, Hillview Section, 126 Quarry Street, Cobleskill, NY, where Military Honors will be accorded.

By request of the family, in lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in memory of Everett P. Merrill may be made to the Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 40, Howes Cave, NY 12092.

Arrangements are in the care of the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill. To offer an online condolence, share a symbolic gesture, or share a photo in memory of Everett please visit www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com .

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