Merlyn "Mert" M. Haynes Obituary (1936 - 2016)

Funeral services for Merlyn “Mert” M. Haynes, 79, of Ogdensburg will be held on Thursday April 7, 2016 at 11 A.M.at the LaRue & Pitcher Funeral Home (formerly Allen-Nichols Funeral Home) 324 New York Avenue, Ogdensburg with Rev. Walter Smith officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 6, 2016 from 4-7 P.M at the funeral home. Burial will be in White Church Cemetery at a later date. Mr. Haynes died Saturday evening April 2, 2016 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center following a long illness. Arrangements are under the direction of LaRue & Pitcher Funeral Home. Merlyn or “Mert” as he was known, was born on August 26, 1936 in Lisbon, NY. He was the son of the late Melvin and Mildred (Moore) Haynes. After completing his education, Mert served in the United States Army from 1952-1953. On May 1, 1971 he married Elaine LeDuc at the First United Methodist Church of Ogdensburg. Elaine passed away on September 7, 1977. For the majority of his career he was an attendant at the State Hospital in Ogdensburg. He also operated a driveway sealing business in Ogdensburg. Mert was a member of the American Legion Post 69, past Commander of the AMVETS Post 19 and a volunteer driver for the D.A.V. organization and was honored for his 5,864 hours of volunteer service. He was member of the Ogdensburg Acacian Lodge #128 Free and Accepted Masons, the Loyal Order of The Moose Lodge 814 and the B.P.O.E Lodge #772. Mert enjoyed playing Horseshoes in the Ogdensburg Greenbelt Horseshoe League. Mert loved his family and truly enjoyed getting together and sharing a meal. He is survived by his stepson; Clarence “Butch” LeDuc, his uncle; Maynard Moore and his niece Carolyn Anne Haynes. Also surviving are his cousins; Winona Baloga and her husband Jack of Hazle Township, PA, Michael and Sherrill Moore of Lisbon, Donna Montanna of Texas, Gary Wright of Potsdam, Michelle Moore Burr of Lisbon and Rosemarie Moore of Texas. He is also survived by his faithful friend Dick Harper, whom he called “Harp”. He was predeceased by his wife Elaine Haynes, his parents Melvin and Mildred Haynes and his brothers; Donald and Garnet Haynes and his step daughter Rosemarie LeDuc. Donations in Mert’s memory may be made to the Ogdensburg SPCA or to the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be made at www.LaRuePitcher.com .