IN MEMORIAM: Millie Merrifield, 86;

Active In Local Jehovah’s Witnesses

HARTWICK – Millie A. Merrifield, a long-time resident of Hartwick and active Jehovah’s Witness, died Saturday morning, Nov. 3, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Bridgehampton. She was 86.

Born at the family farm on Kelsey Hill in Edmeston on Dec. 27, 1931, she was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hutira) Sterusky. She was a 1950 graduate of Edmeston Central School.

In 1958 Millie met the love of her life, Franklin D. Merrifield. They were married on Sept. 19, 1959, in New Berlin and had a beautiful union for 58 years. They made their home first in Schuyler Lake and then for 50 years in Hartwick.

Throughout their marriage, Millie and Frank were active members of the Schuyler Lake Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Together they loved reading and studying the Bible and teaching people about the hope it holds out for everlasting life here on earth.

Millie loved her life of caring for others and making a loving, warm and secure home for her children, elderly parents and husband. She adored her garden and animals, never losing her love of “life on the farm.”

She and Frank together enjoyed travelling, making many trips abroad and spending many winters in the Southern California and Florida sunshine. A description of her life would be incomplete if it didn’t include her delight of a beautiful meal and passion for shopping!

She is survived by many dear friends in the Schuyler Lake Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses; two daughters, Ginger (Tim) Lucas of Bridgehampton and Melissa (Duane) Piatt of Soldotna, Alaska; and grandchildren Zoe Lucas, Zack Piatt and Eve Piatt. She is also survived by two nieces, Connie (Henry) Gregory and Laurie (Lenny) Melillo, both of Garrattsville.

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank, in November 2017, and one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Ward, of Edmeston.

A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 7396 State Highway 28, Schuyler Lake.

Interment will be private in Hartwick Cemetery.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving the family.