John Merrilees

John Merrilees, 76, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017 at his home. He moved from Houston, TX and has been a resident of Cleveland since 1993.  John was a family oriented man and loved his dog, Delilah.  He played professional soccer in Philadelphia in 1959 and was an avid golfer. For the past year John found great joy in his mountainside chalet in Murphy, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Merrilees, Sr. and Jane Fluker Merrilees.

He is survived by his wife, Christine Merrilees, of Cleveland; daughter, Trisha Sheehan and husband, Kevin of Virginia Beach, VA; four grandchildren, Conner, Allie, Layton and Nolan Sheehan, all of Virginia Beach, VA; sisters, Jean Lawrence, of Westchester, PA and Marilyn Plant, of Houston, TX and four nieces, Bonnie Jennifer, Katherine and Michelle.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2017 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Reverend Fred Santana officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Merrilees family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.