Merlin Benjamin Haskins

Merlin B. Haskins, 93, of Creston, died peacefully on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster after a brief illness. Merlin was born near Canaan on Aug. 15, 1923 to the late Benjamin and Pearl (Kissinger) Haskins and married Blanche Dawson on Aug. 12, 1941. She preceded him in death on March 19, 1998. On Oct. 10, 1998 he married the former Kathleen Kinney and she survives. Merlin served in the 755 Field Artillery Battalion from 1943 – 1946 having fought in the Battle of the Bulge during WW II. He retired from Morton Salt in Rittman and had previously worked at the Plank Elevator in Creston. He enjoyed fishing, camping, boating and gardening and could be found usually tinkering around in his garage or working outdoors. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Kathy; children and their spouse, Bill and Phyl Haskins of Orrville, Lynne and Jeff Massie of Wooster and Phil and Cindy Haskins of Ashland; his step-children, Chuck McDonough and Shawn McDonough both of Wooster, Jeannine and John Snyder of Moreland and Sheila and John Ewing of Boliver; 5 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 9 step-great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche, brothers Cliff and Pete and sisters, Helen Double and Ruth Pinkley. Services will be Monday, Feb. 20th at 1:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston where friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Canaan Cemetery. Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com Memorial contributions may be made to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.