Kenneth Earl Merrill

Kenneth Earl Merrill, Astoria resident off and on since June 1965, lastly since August 1976, died Jan. 30, 2018, in Portland, Oregon. Kenneth was born Oct. 23, 1937, in Dansville, New York, to Walter and Pearl (Bedford) Merrill.

He joined the Coast Guard in March 1956, and after many duty stations in the U.S. and overseas, retired in August 1976.

Ken was a bartender at several officers’ clubs near his duty bases, including the St. Louis Holiday Inn, Astoria Golf & Country Club, The Crabpot, Fiesta Club, and the Astoria Moose Lodge. He was a painter for RCA Job Corps properties, and went to Clatsop Community College for his welding certificate.

Kenny enjoyed greeting and working at Astoria Wrecking Yard for many years, and also transported cars for Astoria and Warrenton car dealers. He also enjoyed, in later years, going for coffee at The Dutch Cup (later known as Stephanie’s Cabin), Arnie’s, or more recently and daily, the Pig ’N Pancake. The waitresses there always brightened his day, and to repay them, Ken brought them candy.

Ken was a member of Astoria Post 12 American Legion, Rainier Eagles, Astoria Moose Lodge No. 408, and Fleet Reserve Association No. 267.

On the day that Ken was to marry Alice Scoles Eastmen, President John F. Kennedy was shot, so they wed a few days later on Nov. 27, 1963. Ken and Alice had celebrated 53 years together when she was called back to heaven on Feb. 14, 2017.

Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Michael (Carol) Eastman of Florissant, Missouri, and Jeffrey Eastman of Yelm, Washington; five daughters and three sons-in-law, Susan (Steven) Rooke of Eugene, Oregon, Debra Eastman of Anacortes, Washington, Kathleen (Russell) Felmey of Damascus, Oregon, Karen Merrill of Astoria, Oregon, and Kristen (Mark) Nemecek of Portland, Oregon.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Joseph Eastman, Mindy Smith, Paul Duncan, Erin Delatorre, Sara (Daniel) Lisberger, Michael Felmey, Elizabeth Doran and Christopher (Brianna) Felmey; and five great-grandchildren, Mollie and Charlie Smith, Arielle Delatorre and Selena and her soon-to-be brother Benjamin Felmey.

Ken was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister; one granddaughter, Jennifer Felmey; and the love of his life, Alice.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, followed by a reception at the Astoria Moose Lodge.

Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery.