Paul Merila

Paul J. Merila, 95, went home to be with the Lord early Friday morning June 11, 2021.

He was born on May 24, 1926 in his home in Jefferson Township.  He was the son of Andrew and Maria (Torppa) Merila.

Paul was a graduate of Ashtabula High School's Class of 1944.  On November 10, 1948 Paul married Fern Duff, his loving and devoted wife of the past 72 years.

He worked for many, many years on the family owned dairy farm, starting there when he was just a young boy.  He worked for the East Ohio Gas Company and then went on to work for and retire from the General Electric Weld Plant.  Following retirement he took a job with Community Action; a job he absolutely loved.  He was a very hard worker who simply worked hard for one reason; to give his wife and daughters a good life.

He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church.  Paul loved to sing and read, he loved watching Westerns on TV as well as watching Cleveland Indians baseball and the Cleveland Browns and OSU Buckeyes football teams.

He is survived by his loving family: his wife Fern; his daughters: Victoria (Neil) Riipa and Paula (Guy) Korvig; his grandchildren: Debbie, Todd, Craig, Amber and Andrew; and his great-grandchildren: Zachary, David, Sienna and Finley.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Aile, Aune, Gertrude, Sula, Arnold, Arvo and Leo.

Services will be held on Tuesday June 15, 2021 at First Grace Gospel Church, 5730 Adams Avenue, Ashtabula.  Calling hours from 11:00-12:00 and funeral service beginning at 12:00.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Saybrook Landing as well as to Hospice of the Western Reserve for their kind and compassionate care they gave Paul in his lst days