Merrill Dee Kennedy

MERRILL DELL KENNEDY Funeral services for longtime area resident Merrill Dell Kennedy will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 20 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been scheduled for Friday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. at Ertel Chapel. Merrill was born on July 24, 1926 in Springview, Neb. to Bertha and Leo Kennedy. He passed away on Monday, February 15, 2010 at Vista Grande Inn at the age of 83. Merrill attended school in Springview, Neb. He enlisted in the Army in 1945 and was stationed in Japan as a Staff Sergeant in the 153rd Engineer Construction Battalion. After his discharge in 1946, Merrill came to Cortez to be near his mother who was teaching school in Yellow Jacket. While in Cortez he met Raye Stone. They were married on May 24, 1947 in Aztec, N.M. Merrill and Raye had two children, Kirk and Kathy. Merrill was the owner and operator of Four States Tractor and Equipment in Cortez until his retirement in 1983. He then pursued his lifelong dream of farming at his home north of Cortez. This allowed him the time to be with his children and grandchildren in whom he instilled his love and value of life. Merrill is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Raye; and his brother, Paul Kennedy of Newburg, Ore. Merrill also leaves behind his son, Kirk Kennedy and wife, Kay; his daughter, Kathy Schlabaugh and husband, Jim; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Leo Kennedy; his mother, Bertha Gilliland; his step-father, Jeff Gilliland; his siblings, Lila and Vern; and his great-grandson, Dylan. Memorial contributions may be made in Merrill's name to Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church.