Seth Dillon Merrill

Seth Dillon Merrill, 33, lifelong resident of Grant County, passed away Sunday, Nov.18, 2007. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, at the Moses Lake First Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy, with Pastor Eric Frey officiating. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

Seth was born Oct.10, 1974, in Seattle, son of Don and Linda Merrill. He grew up in the Soap Lake and Ephrata areas, attended the Ephrata schools and graduated from Ephrata High School. On Sept. 7, 1993, Seth followed his father's footsteps into the Marine Corps, where he developed a lifelong friendship with Michael Fleming and Jory Gallegos. Upon graduation in San Diego, he joined1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, Charlie Company as a machine gunner, serving in Kaneohe Marine Corp Base, Hawaii and Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. After touring Japan he joined Amphibious Reconnaissance where he would serve the remainder of his duty. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corp he returned to the Moses Lake area.

Seth enjoyed getting married to Dawn Freeman on Jan. 12, 2002, in Whitefish, Montana with his parents, Don and Linda and Dawn's parents, Mike and Patty Freeman and close family friend, Mike Fleming in attendance. They have a strong son, Matthew Terry and two beautiful daughters, Arlena Jo and Miranda Meadow. Seth and Dawn spent lots of time together four-wheeling and on the road with their Harley. Seth was into racing from an early age and continued this enjoyment throughout his life. He especially loved running cars at the Demo-Derby and on the Ephrata Short Track.

Seth again followed in his dad's footsteps, working for his dad at Chematron Electric and later as a journeyman electrician in the area. Seth is survived by his loving family: wife, Dawn; three children, Matthew Terry, Arlena Jo and Miranda Meadow; parents, Don and Linda Merrill; sister, Andria "Andi" Merrill; parents-in-law, Mike and Patty Freeman; godfather, Bill Howell; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

If you knew Seth and Dawn, you had friends!