Gerald E. “Jerry” Merchant, 60, of Merchant Lane, Karns City, a well-known Petroleum valley resident and retired Karns City businessman, passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 14, 2018 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Jerry was born in Butler on November 30, 1957. He was the son of the late George F. and Dorothy Ace Merchant.
He was a graduate of Karns City High School. He was an avid NASCAR fan and he and his wife looked forward to spending time in Daytona Beach. Jerry most especially enjoyed the company of his grandkids, who were his pride and joy. He was a well-known and skilled mechanic and owned and operated Merchant’s Auto and Towing on Route 268 in Karns City for nearly 20 years.
He is survived by his wife, Angela L. “Angie” Lowers Merchant, whom he married in Fairview on May 8, 1982. Also surviving are two daughters, Denise M. Crawford and her husband, Michael, of Harrisville and Tammy L. Larimore and her husband, Toby, of Karns City; six grandchildren, Aaron J. Welker, Dakota G. Crawford, Mackenzie Crawford, Heather Thompson, Chloe, Carly, and Landon Larimore; his mother-in-law, Marlene Lowers of Chicora; a sister-in-law, Judy Merchant of Petrolia; as well as a number of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends in Pennsylvania and Florida.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George F. Merchant III, a sister, Nancy L. Merchant, and his father-in-law, Donald “Mac” Lowers.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main St., Karns City, from 4 – 8 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Hile Funeral Home, PO Box 262, Karns City, PA 16041. For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.