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Hugh Merchant

NEWBERRY — Hugh Edward Merchant, 73, of Newberry died on March 4, 2013, peacefully and surrounded by his family at Palmetto Health Richland.

Born on July 28, 1939, he was a son of the late Cecil E. and Mattie Longshore Merchant.

Hugh was a master electrician and plumber, was the owner of Hillside Farm and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church.

Additionally, Hugh was a proud supporter of the Newberry Exchange Club, South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, National Rifle Association and the Newberry High School Athletic Booster Club.

Hugh is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dallas Bedenbaugh Merchant; his two daughters, Lisa (Johnny) Johnson of Chesterfield, Va. and Amy (Brian) Hawkins of Newberry; four grandchildren, Ashley, Kelsey, Kirsti, and Hunter; a brother, Henry Earle Merchant of Prosperity and a stepsister, Winifred Culclasure of Chapin. In addition to his parents, Hugh was pre-deceased by his stepmother Janie P. Merchant and brothers, Cecil Eugene Merchant Jr. and James Robert Merchant.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2103, at Whitaker Funeral Home 1704 College St., Newberry, S.C.

Funeral services will be conducted at Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church, 1307 Drayton St., Newberry at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Interment will follow at West End Cemetery

Pallbearers will be Bart Merchant, Jimmy Merchant, Hank Merchant, Doug Merchant, Mike Brehmer, Roger West, Reggie Martin, Calvin Morris and Bill Brown.

Honorary pallbearers will be “The Dove Crowd,” Andrew Shealy, Terry Hawkins, Tommy Brown, Frank Long, Jonathan Bedenbaugh, Jacob Schumpert, Rick Buzhardt, Keith Berry, Charles Nichols, Wayne Shaw, Dave Judd and Jeff Bartley.

Memorials are suggested to Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church, 1307 Drayton St., Newberry, SC 29108; to Glory Tabernacle Church, Mission Fund, 905 Pope St., Newberry, SC 29108 or to the American Cancer Society, C/O Jennifer Rogers, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.

The memories will forever be a source of consolation, and knowing that he is at peace and rest will comfort us as well.

The words of the Bible say, “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.”

May each of us use these words for strength to carry on in this time of sorrow.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.

Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.