MAXWELL
Kenneth Wayne Merchant, 80, a resident of Greenfield, passed away at his home on Sunday, July 14, 2024. He was born October 3, 1943, in Maxwell, Indiana, to the late Fred and Lesta (Reed) Merchant.
He attended Maxwell Grade School and Hancock Central High School. He was a Junior High Student Council member and the freshman class president. Kenny was a pitcher on the baseball team his freshman year and played forward on the basketball team. Kenny was 32 Degree Mason, a 56-year member of Eden Lodge 477, and a member of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. He attended Indiana Barber College, working as a barber around Hancock County for several years. In 1972, he went to work at International Harvester/Navistar, going into skilled trades. In 1987, Kenny went to work for Ford Motor Company, retiring in 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Padgett) Merchant, whom he married on April 2, 1960; children, Kelly Merchant and Lisa (Merchant) Corbit; sisters, Doris Hammond and Betty Floyd; grandchildren, Matthew Merchant, Anastacia Corbit-Clarkson (Steven Clarkson), Alicia Merchant-Himes, and Sean Merchant; great-grandchildren, Stella, Emma, and Ruby Merchant; Quinn, Larkin, Griffin, and Ashton Corbit-Clarkson; Aria, Luna, and Stiles Merchant-Himes.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Eric; brothers, Eugene, Harold (Bud), and Larry; sister-in-law, Ella (Brinker) Merchant; and brother-in-law, Ronald Floyd.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Pasco Chapel, 1780 W. Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140. Private family entombment will follow at Washington Park Cemetery, Indianapolis.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences and memories of Kenny at www.stillingerfamily.com
