Joseph Merritt

Joseph Charles Merritt, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born March 13, 1926, in Chicago. He and Virginia Winkleman were married Oct. 15, 1950, in Chicago. She died in 1997.

Merritt was a radar engineer in the U.S. Navy. He was of the Catholic belief.

He grew up in Chicago. He was a mechanical engineer 48 years with Sargeant and Lundy Engineers. He retired in 1989 and moved to Cape Girardeau in 2000. He lived in Rockford, Ill., 11 years.

Survivors include a son, Mark Merritt and wife Tonya of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Hope LoDestro and husband Frank of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Lucille Oswald of Appleton, Wis.; five grandchildren, Michael Merritt, Tricia LoDestro, Paula Paben and husband Dennis, Julie LoDestro and Bonnie LoDestro.

Friends may call Friday morning at Honquest Family Funeral Home in Rockford, followed by a graveside service in Calvary Cemetery in Rockford.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.