George F. Merchant III, 67, of Fairview Road, Fairview, Parker Twp., Butler County, passed away early Friday morning, April 29, 2016 surrounded by his loving family at home following an extended illness.

George was born in Butler on September 29, 1948. He was the son of the late George F. Sr. and Dorothy Ace Merchant. He was baptized in the Petrolia Presbyterian Church and belonged to Kaylor Camp at Clearfield. He was an avid golfer and Steelers fan and especially enjoyed golfing at Linden Hall with his golfing buddies. He was a 1966 graduate of Karns City High School and later attended Butler County Community College. He had been employed at Indspec Chemical Company in Petrolia as a welder and retired in 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Grossman Merchant, whom he married at St. John’s Church in West Sunbury on May 5, 1972. He is also survived by two children, Amanda Hahn and her husband, Ryan, of Pensecola, FL and Robert Merchant and his fiancé, Sara, of Slippery Rock; a granddaughter, Campbell Hahn; two brothers, Gerald Merchant and his wife, Angela, of Karns City, and Dan Merchant and his wife, Michele, of Hornertown, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Merchant.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 4-8 p.m. Monday. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday from the funeral home with the Rev. Paul DeBacco, pastor of the Crisswell Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Bear Creek Cemetery in Petrolia.

Memorial Contributions in Mr. Merchant’s name may be made to the Butler VNA Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.

For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.