Obituary of Merrill Lathem

Merrill Byron Lathem of Calgary passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at the age of 82 years. Merrill was born on April 3, 1924 in Seal Harbor, Nova Scotia, the third of five children and the son of a fisherman. He served in Italy with the West Nova Scotia Regiment until he was wounded in December, 1944. He came west to Calgary in 1960, eventually joining the fellowship at Crescent Heights Baptist Church. Merrill married his first wife Doris in 1961 and they were happily married for forty-one years until God took her home. He was a quiet, gentle man with a strong spirit and a kind heart. He was loved by all who knew him. Though Merrill suffered a great many physical ailments, he lived his life with joy, smiles and praised his Saviour for all his blessings. Those who stopped to talk with him went away with a feeling of peace and an uplifted spirit. He loved listening to music and loved the old hymns. He lost the remainder of his sight in July of 1973 due to glaucoma and cataracts. He became a member of the CNIB and excelled in the many activities they offered, skiing, bowling, etc. He was also a member of the J.O.Y. Group at Crescent Heights Baptist Church. Merrill met his second wife Helen at the Colonel Belcher in 2003. They were married on June 26, 2004. Helen brought sunshine into his life and a joy that showed on his face. Though their time together was short, they loved and laughed and made each day a precious gift. Merrill was a devoted husband and a loving father. He was a loyal man and was loved and respected by his family. He gave of himself to all who crossed his path. We want to say how proud we are of him, what an amazing man he was and what a privilege it was to call him Dad. Merrill is survived by his wife Helen; son Stephen; daughter Esther and her husband John; grandchildren Benjamen, Everrett, Melyssa and Johnny; sister Susie Kaiser of Halifax, NS; three brothers, Calvin (Marion) of Sydney, Cape Breton, Allen (Marion) of Kingston, NS and Malcom (Marg) of Smoth Rock Falls, ON; niece Grace (David) Gibson of Halifax, NS as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Services will be held at Crescent Heights Baptist Church (1212 – 1st Street N.W.) on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Cornel van Eyk, Presider. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca., the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 – 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A2 Telephone: (403) 205-3966., or to Operation Eyesight Universal, 4 Parkdale Crescent N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 3T8 Telephone: (403) 283-6323, www.operationeyesight.ca. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Merrill Lathem, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.