Elva H. Merrell

Elva Helen Merrell passed away on November 25th, 2014. Her family knows her as Helen, while her work colleagues know her as Elva. Elva Helen was born in Kendallville, Indiana on August 17th, 1930. She spent most of her childhood years in Indiana. She attended Bowling Green State University, and studied early childhood education. She met Richard Corbin Merrell at BGSU, and the couple was married on September 8, 1951. After both graduated from BGSU, Helen and Dick moved to Ohio where Dick pursued his Master’s degree. After Dick’s graduation, the couple moved to Arlington, Virginia where Elva Helen worked as a first grade teacher early in her career. After staying home for a few years raising four children, Elva Helen began working again. She also returned to college to study Library Sciences. She was then hired as a map librarian and worked for the government for 19 years. Elva Helen will be missed by her four children, Scott Merrell, Kathryn Ellis, Stuart Merrell, and, Mark Merrell; and her seven grandchildren, Jeannette Hansen, Beth-Anne Merrell, Matthew Staso, Robert Ellis, Michael Ellis, Ryan Merrell, and Kyle Merrell. Her husband, Richard C. Merrell, preceded her in death in 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at Advent Funeral & Cremation Services in Falls Church, Va on Sunday, November 30, 2014 AT 2:00pm.