Wayne S Merritt

Wayne S. Merritt, 84, of St. Joseph, was called to be with his Savior on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Glenn Rosenbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2018, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Wayne was born on October 26, 1933, to Forrest and Sylvia (Pokorny) Merritt in Sodus, MI. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1951. Wayne then went on to receive his Associates Degree from DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago. After receiving his Associates Degree, he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1954-1956. Wayne returned to Michigan and attended Michigan State University to earn his Bachelors Degree in Accounting. On April 22, 1961, he married Joanne Froehlich in Sodus, MI. Wayne worked as a Certified Public Accountant for 39 years. He was employed with Kovtan & Ristau and their successors. In 1976, Wayne began his private practice until he retired in 1999. He was a member of the Michigan Association of CPAs and had served on the Board of Regents of Michigan Lutheran High School. Wayne was also very involved with Grace Lutheran Church, having served on the Board of Elders and the President of the School Board. Wayne is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joanne Merritt; children, Joel Merritt and John (Betty) Merritt both of Rochester Hills, MI and grandson, Paul Merritt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Sylvia Merritt and sister, Joyce (Lawrence) Bowers.