BETHEL – Ralph Owen Merrill, 69, of Bethel, died at his residence on Nov. 11, with his loving family at his side.

He was born in Berlin, N.H., on May 16, 1937. He attended Bethel schools and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Vietnam era.

He had been a plumber most of his life, and owned and operated Merrill’s Plumbing from 1976 to 1996.

Working was his life and one of the things he enjoyed most, next to his family.

He is survived by his wife, Nicole (Roy) Merrill of Bethel, whom he married on September 22, 1961; two sons, Christopher Owen Merrill and his wife, Diane of Albany, and Alan Maurice Merrill and his wife, Kelly, of Mason Township; one daughter, Melinda Yvette Chase of Columbus, Ga.; one brother, Charlie Merrill and his wife, Tootsie, of Bethel; and five grandchildren, Brock and Britney, both of Mason Township, Teague and Mackenzie both of Albany, and Dante of Columbus, Georgia.