CHESAPEAKE- Frederick "Gene" E. Merrall, 90, passed away on September 27, 2017, surrounded by family. He was born in Binghamton, New York in 1927, the son of the late Frederick and Anne Merrall. He is predeceased by brother Edward, killed on Iowa Jima; sister Teresa of Binghamton; son Edward of Salem, Oregon; and son Michael of Sacramento, California.
Gene served as a United States Marine in WWII and Korea and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He loved oil painting, wood carving, travel, making people smile, but mostly his family. He is survived by his wife Jeanie Merrall; three brothers; children Ann Marie of Alexandria, VA, Judi Luffman of Portsmouth, Trish of Tampa, FL, and Joe of Woodstock, GA; grandchildren Andrew of Portland, OR, Terri Hamm of Chesapeake, Anna Byrd of Portsmouth, Bobby of Fort Worth, TX, Marissa of Tampa, FL, Alex (USMC) and Brett (USMC) of Woodstock, GA; and four great-grandchildren.
A Liturgy of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 21, at Church of St. Therese, 4137 Portsmouth Blvd., Chesapeake. Family will receive guests afterwards in the church social hall.
Gene will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Foster Funeral Home of Portsmouth is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.