Cecil Eugene Merchant Jr. 78 of 412 Green Street Newberry died Wednesday January 27 2010 at White Oak Manor. He was born on January 2 1932 in Newberry to the late Cecil E. Merchant Sr. and Mattie Longshore Merchant. On February 26 1955 he married the late Mary Bartley. Mr. Merchant was a former member of the S.C. National Guard a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War and was retired from Thomas and Howard Company. He was a lifetime member of Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church where he had previously served as chairman of the Congregational Council. He was a member and past president of the Newberry Exchange Club and the Elloree Hunting Club. He was also a member of the Prosperity Wildlife Federation and the West End Cemetery Committee and a charter member of the Smilin Swingers Square Dance Club. Mr. Merchant is survived by his children Bart (Cindy) Merchant of Newberry and Karen (Mike) Brehmer of Kinards; grandchildren Nicole and Lucas Merchant of Irmo and Neal Lance and Marylee Brehmer of Kinards; brothers Earle Merchant of Prosperity and Hugh Merchant of Newberry. In addition to his wife and parents he was predeceased by a brother Robert Merchant. Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 PM Friday at Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church by the Rev. Dr. Mary Havens and the Rev. Floyd Sides. Interment was in West End Cemetery.Visitation was from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.The family suggests memorials be made to the Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church 1307 Drayton St. Newberry SC 29108.Pallbearers were Jeffrey Bartley Keith Bartley Mac Bartley Robert Bartley Tee Bartley Benny Bartley Doug Merchant Jimmy Merchant and Hank Merchant. Honorary pallbearers were Casper and Frances Berry and members of the Elloree Hunting Club and the Newberry Exchange Club.Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.comWhitaker Funeral Home Newberry is assisting the family.