LOWVILLE - Merritt E. Reed, Jr., 78, passed away unexpectedly at his home on River Street on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 10:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church with Rev. Ed Murphy, priest in charge, officiating. Military burial will be in the Beaches Bridge Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Sundquist Funeral Home. Merritt was born on March 18, 1934, in Lowville, NY, a son of the late Merritt E. Reed Sr. and Laura A. Reape Reed. After graduating from Lowville Free Academy in 1952, Merritt enlisted in the United States Air Force where he attended a Tech School for communication specialist. In 1956, he was discharged from the Plattsburgh Air Force Base. On June 16, 1956, Merritt was married to Shelby Brasie. The marriage ended in divorce. For 34 years, Merritt was employed by Beaverite as a printer and for many years he was a driver for the Office of the Aging. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and held life memberships with the Lowville American Legion #162, Lewis Co. Memorial Post #6912 and AM Vets Lowville #99. His favorite pastime was watching the New York Yankees, the Giants and Syracuse sports. Surviving Merritt are his two sons James "Simon" E. and wife Denise Reed of Canastota, NY and David T. and wife Stasi Reed of Lowville; two daughters Cynthia Bates and her husband Thomas of Lowville and Helen Nortz and her husband Patrick of Croghan; siblings: Walter P. Reed and companion Steven of Orwell, NY; Virginia Howell and her husband Varian of Lyons Falls; Betty Widrick and her husband Gil and Shirley Wood and her husband Hugh all of Lowville; three granddaughters; five grandsons and six great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Reed was predeceased by his brother Raymond J. and two nephews. Memorial contributions may be made in Merritt's name to Trinity Episcopal Church, 5411 Trinity Avenue, Lowville, NY 13367 or to the American Legion, Post #162, 5383 Dayan Street, Lowville, NY 13367.