Merritt Jackson,

Richmondville- Merritt Jackson, Sr., 88, of Franzen Road, died Monday, May 20, 2013 at Cobleskill Regional Hospital following a brief illness.

Born July 26, 1924 in Cobleskill, he was a son of John and Daisy (Rockafeller) Jackson. Merritt was a life long area resident and retired from NYS Department of Transportation in Cobleskill as a heavy equipment operator.

Merritt's hobbies included that of gardening, wood cutting, caring for his animals, and working all his life up until the last five days.

He was predeceased by his wife, Waneta, on November 19, 2006; two sons: Floyd Lee Jackson and Anthony Dean Jackson; three brothers: Charles, William and John L. Jackson; and two sisters: Eleanor Slater and Clara (Peg) Calandra.

Survivors include his four children: Linda (Glen) Gallup, Edward (Cindy) Jackson, and Carol (Jeff) Tryon all of Richmondville, and Merritt (Debra) Jackson, Jr. of Middleburgh; two sisters: Lena Hillsinger of Cobleskill and Marion Winnie of Sharon Springs; 9 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandsons.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill where friends may also call from 10 to 11 AM prior to the service. Rev. Victor Zaccaro will officiate. Burial will follow in Richmondville Rural Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Richmondville Volunteer Fire Department, State Route 7, Richmondville, NY 12149.