Merrill D. Whitlock 82, Rochester, and formerly of Bryan, Ohio, passed away at 4:06 P.M. Saturday, May 17, 2025 at his residence.
On September 4, 1942 at 2:40 A.M., the World changed forever, Merrill was born the fourth child of eleven children to Raymond and Verile (Bloom) Whitlock in Bryan, Ohio. On September 14, 1963 he married Barbara Carlin and she preceded him in 2003. They had four children, Rebecca, Michael, John and Sarah.
Merrill owned and operated Whitlock Services from 1973-2013 providing a variety of services out of his Bryan, Ohio location including building construction. He loved wood working projects making various household items and usually giving them away. He started his ministry in the 1970’s and in 2017 founded Living Faith Ministries in Bryan, Ohio and pastoring in Butler, Indiana. He belonged to the Apostolic World Christian Church.
On April 18, 2009, he married Teresa (Oliver) Mayer, becoming the step-father to her two children, Rebecca and Amanda. Teresa passed away on May 15, 2013. On January 12, 2016, he married Carol (Melton) Ritter, becoming the step-father to her children, Joshua, Newell and Jennifer. As part of their ministry, he was President of Car-Mel Living Faith Hope.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Whitlock, Rochester, Indiana, children, Rebecca (Fred) Hogle, Texas, John (Karen) Whitlock, Ohio, daughter-in-law, Debbie Whitlock, Ohio, five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, step-children, Rebecca (Stephen) Smith, Amanda (Marc) Giles, Joshua Ritter, Rochester, Indiana, Newell (Natilia) Weldy, Escondido, California, Jennifer (John) Beaird, Rochester, Indiana, several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren, siblings, Stanley (Sheila) Whitlock, Stryker, Ohio, David (Chris) Whitlock, West Unity, Ohio, Neal (Rhonda) Whitlock, Dallas, Texas, Marlin ( Karen) Whitlock, West Unity, Ohio, Ruthann (Tracy) Hammond, Hamilton, Michigan, several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, children, Sarah Whitlock in infancy, Michael Whitlock in 2004, siblings, Norman Whitlock, Margaret “Elaine” Jaggers, Thelma Irene Whitlock, Richard Whitlock, and Marilyn Joan Bouman.
Funeral services will take place at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana.
Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Graveside services and burial will take place at 1:00 P.M Thursday, May 22, 205 at Boynton Cemetery, Stryker, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Car-Mell Living Faith Hope.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com
