Kenneth Leroy Merillat, Age 84, of Adrian, went to be with the Lord Thursday October 29, 2009. Ken was born June 23, 1925 in Tedrow, Ohio, the 14th. of 15 children of David and Emma (McCollum) Merillat. In 1948 he married Nina Slee in Waukegan, IL. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from April 24, 1944 to April 26, 1946, and was discharged as a DAV. Ken was a farmer, private pilot, owned and operated Ken-tel Telephone Equipment of Lenawee, KNK Payphones (with his grandson, Chip) and retired from General Telephone with over 26 years of service. Most importantly, Ken was a Christian, and his deepest desire was to see people come to Christ. He worked faithfully with many different ministries to reach that goal but his greatest joy was working for Bill Glass Prison Ministries. Ken loved his family and he enjoyed watching his grandkids grow. He hardly ever missed a wrestling meet or sporting event when his grandchildren were participating, even if it meant traveling many miles. He was a very important part of each and every grandchild's life. Ken is survived by his wife Nina, of over 61 years; daughter, Kathy Connin and her husband Aram Choolijian, of Ypsilanti; two grandsons, Chip and his wife, Cassie, and their two sons, Chase and Carter, and Kip and his wife, Jana, and their two sons, Kaden and Keegan; grandaughter Karisha and her daughter Tony McCarthy, children Kristos and Kolya and their dad, Phil Brown); and his sister-in-law, Ruth Merillat. He was preceeded in death by his son, Kenneth, daughter-in-law Alice (Hood) Merillat, and their two children, Kayleen and Kendra; daughter, Karen Jean; five brothers, and nine sisters. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, November 2nd, 2009, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, with the Rev. Lloyd Jewett and Bill Glass officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors performed by the U.S. Navy Reserve Honor Guard from Perrysburg, Ohio. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian. Memorial Contributions may be made to Bill Glass Prison Ministries. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.