MILFORD - Merritt Lane passed peacefully after an extended stay within the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. Merritt (Nick) was born in Felton, and was the son of the late Ashton and Elta Hill Lane, he was 87. Merritt was in the Marines during World War II and served his country honorably during the entire pacific campaign. Merritt was employed and retired from the DuPont Nylon plant in Seaford after 35 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting and shooting pool during his younger years. The biggest love in his life was his wife Ann of 57 years, his three children, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Merritt is preceded in death by his wife, Ann and his son, Merritt Lane, Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Peggy Lane Garey and husband William of Harrington, Linda Lane Geise and husband, Neil of Milford; and daughter-in-law, Linda Davis Lane of Pittsville, Md.; two brothers, George and Ray Lane; three sisters, Thelma Piccolo, Julia Holleger and Janet Black; seven grandchildren, Randi Smack, Susan Cropper, Merritt D. Lane, Ashton Garey, Rebecca Garey, Dewane Geise and Melissa Reed; seven great-grandchildren, Katelyn and Ryan Smack, Spencer Cropper, Aidan and Miranda Garey, Addison and Brynlee Lane. A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford, where family and friends may call. Merritt will be buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington, with an after service fellowship gathering to be held at Saint Stevens Church Fellowship Hall in Harrington, immediately following the service at the cemetery.