Merrill Emerson Fretz , of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, departed this life for his heavenly home on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, after a full life of eighty-seven years. First-time parents Elwyn C. and Evelyn M. (Barrett) Fretz welcomed him into their lives on April 19, 1934, in Abington, Pennsylvania. A day shy of his twentieth birthday, he married Nancy C. (Reichley) on April 18, 1954, in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and was content to reside the rest of his life in Penn's woods; though, as a truck driver, he traveled countless miles from coast to coast and everywhere in between.

Merrill was the proud father of five children—Merle Lee Geib (Ronald, Harleysville, PA), David E. Fretz (Renee, Hardeeville, SC), Stephen P. Fretz (Lori, Greencastle, PA), Mark J. H. Fretz (Angela, Lancaster, PA), and Tara C. Yoder (Michael, Albion, IN)—nine grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren, all of whom, along with his loving wife, survive him, by the grace of God. His three sisters also survive him—Ruth Balmer (Telford, PA), Emily Stoltzfus (Narvon, PA), and Martha Watts (Donald, Scotia, NY).

Merrill spent much of his eighty-seven years singing, driving, and working hard. A dedicated churchgoer, he served in many roles, from choir member and soloist, to Sunday School superintendent and teacher, to trustee, to visiting people; he contributed his gifts wherever possible. It seemed as though he could do just about anything, equipped with a high school diploma from Lansdale High, tons of hands-on experience, and a head filled with common sense. His work life included construction, farming, dispatching, owning a gas station, driving bus, delivering parts and driving vehicles for Bergey's, and most fondly driving tractor trailers.

Inurnment will be at Deep Run Mennonite Church West cemetery, with a private service for the immediate family.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Grace Mennonite Church, 630 York Avenue, Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm.

The service will be livestreamed on the Grace Mennonite Church's YouTube channel. " https://youtu.be/cTkTysnW0bA "

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Merrill's memory to: Peter Becker Community Benevolent Fund, 800 Maple Avenue, Harleysville, PA 19438 peterbeckercommunity.com/. Details available online at https://www.andersfh.com/, or by calling Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, Souderton, PA, at (215) 723-2300.