Obituary

Local businessman and attorney Merritt Diggins, 94, of Kendallville died Sunday, August 31, 2008, at 11 p.m. at his residence.

Mr. Diggins was a graduate of Kendallville High School. He graduated in 1936 from the Indiana University School of Law. He practiced law in the firm of Emerick & Diggins in Kendallville for over 40 years.

Merritt has a wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and was an avid bridge player.

He served on the local school board, was a member of the Emeritus Club at Indiana University, Kendallville Lions Club, the Kendallville Elks Club where he served as Exalted Ruler, and was one of the founders of the Kendallville Bank & Trust Co. He attended Trinity Church United Methodist in Kendallville.

He was born December 29, 1913, in Kendallville to Frank and Inez (Black) Diggins. On June 15, 1940, he married Anna Katherine Greenawalt.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Craig Trees of Anderson; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Pat Diggins of Cullowhee, North Carolina, and Dan and Nancy Diggins of Kendallville; grandchildren, Michael Diggins, Stephen Diggins, Matt and Meghan Trees, Amy and Luke Pridgeon, Betsy Trees, and Bebe and Chris Hollingshead.; two great granddaughters, Hannah Pridgeon and Emma Trees; and caregivers, Martha Debes and Dolores Chorpenning.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ann K. Diggins on March 4, 2004.

Services will be Wednesday, September 3, 2008, at 3 p.m. at the Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville, with Rev. G. Scott Pattison of Trinity Church United Methodist, Kendallville officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Casketbearers will be Michael Diggins, Stephen Diggins, Matthew Trees, Betsy Trees, Bebe Hollingshead, and Chris Hollingshead.

Calling will be Wednesday, September 3, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Noble Home Health and Hospice or the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com