SALISBURY - Merrill Johnson Burhans Jr., 91, died May 11, 2017, in his home in Salisbury. Born and raised in New York City, he was inducted in the U.S. Navy in October 1943, where he served on the battleship USS New York in the Pacific Theatre and was discharged May 1946. While serving he completed courses at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.
He moved to Parsonsburg in 1955, and then to Salisbury, where he lived for 62 years. He was employed in the Wicomico County Planning Office, where he served as Planning Director from 1975 to 1984. He completed an Accounting degree at Salisbury University.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Salisbury, the Institute for Retired Persons, the IRP Book Club in Salisbury and the recently formed Humanist Group of UU.
He is survived by his sisters, Francis Lorraine Ellis of Cherry Valley, N.Y., and Mary Jane Zeien of Florham Park, N.J., as well as several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Salisbury. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury.