Ervin Merchant 97 of Bush River Road Kinards SC died Sunday January 22 2012 at his residence. He was born on January 20 1915 a son of the late George W. and Lessie Baird Merchant. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Mr. Merchant retired from Whitten Center and also worked as a timber producer for many years. He was a member of Little River Dominick Presbyterian Church where he had served as a Deacon and an Elder. He had been an active member of the Bush River Community Center and was a former board member of the Newberry County Council on Aging. He was a farmer all of his life and especially loved gardening. Most importantly he will be remembered as a great dad. He is survived by daughters and son-in-law Sadie Merchant of Kinards Ann and Bud Vassey of Maine and Terry Merchant of Coronaca; a son and his wife Gregg and Marilyn Merchant of Kinards; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 73 years Mary Agnes Crowder Merchant; a son William Ervin Merchant; two granddaughters Tracy Stutts and Allison Sims. Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday January 26 at Little River Dominick Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Lawrence Peebles. Interment was in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service on Thursday beginning at 1:00 PM. Family and friends are also invited to visit at the residence 10102 Bush River Road Kinards at other times. Memorials are suggested to Little River Dominick Presbyterian Church 8654 Highway 56 Kinards SC 29355. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.