Donald Erwin Merrill, 92, of Canton, passed away Tuesday, December 1st, at Aultman Hospital of Covid-19. One of 6 children, he was born on his late parents, George and Mabel (Reynolds) Merrill's farm in Clarendon, New York on January 14, 1928. Besides his parents he is also preceded in death by wife of 69 years Patricia (Murphy) Merrill; son Robert "Bob" Merrill; 2 brothers Walter Merrill (who died in infancy), Lester Merrill; 2 sisters Mabel Irene Armer and Mary Young. Donald worked for General Motors, where he met his late wife, for over 40 years, starting as a machinist assistant 2 days after his 16th birthday, progressing to a tool-and-die maker and eventually becoming an engineer. He spent the last 20 years of his career at GM in the Manufacturing and Development division where cutting-edge automotive technologies were created. He especially focused on robotic applications in automotive manufacturing. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant in WW II earning an Army of Occupation Medal and World War II Victory Medal. As a very mechanically-minded man, Donald could build, make or repair anything. He was passionate about photography and genealogy, involved in MENSA and Toastmasters and was generous to a fault when helping family. Survived by son; Steven (Susan) Merrill; 100-year-old sister Georgia Brown; grandchildren Abigail (Nathaniel) Boyer, Alexander Merrill, David Merrill, Elizabeth (Matthew) Susor, Kevin (Robbin Steuart) Haldeman and Tanya Hard as well as 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. There will be no services at this time, but a joint memorial service for both Donald and Patricia (who passed away in March) is planned for the future.

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