Jean Marie Merritt

She was born in Aurora, Wis., on Aug. 23, 1933, daughter of the late Philip and Matilda (Steiner) Provencher.

Jean was a graduate of Niagara High School, where she met the love of her life, James A. Merritt. They were joined in marriage on Aug. 28, 1954, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara.

Jean worked in the payroll department at the Niagara Paper Mill for a short time before taking on her labor of love, running the family household that came to include five rambunctious children.

Her strong faith served as light for the many lives she touched through charitable acts such as greeting parish members at church masses, assisting the parish food pantry, visiting residents at Maryhill Manor or participating in many of the other St. Anthony Christian Mothers and Guild activities.

In Jean’s free time she enjoyed participating in and watching figure skating, bowling, camping, and traveling. She cherished time spent with family, particularly fishing with Jim or attending all of her children’s and grandkid’s sporting events. At times she also believed herself to be a remote assistant coach for her favorite Wisconsin teams, the Badgers, Packers and the Bucks.

Jean was also known for her admiration of a beautiful bouquet of flowers or indulging in a couple scoops of her favorite ice cream. She took great pride in maintaining her beautiful flower gardens at her home and the flower arrangements placed at family cemetery sites.

Jean will be deeply missed by her children, Julie (Roger) Lantagne, Jeff (Catherine) Merritt, Jay (Amy) Merritt, Janice Merritt, and Jodi (Reiny) Klingeisen; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a special family friend, Sue Wink.

She is preceded in death by Jim, her husband of 58 years; parents, Philip and Matilda Provencher; two infant daughters, Cythia Marie and Barbara Jean Merritt; grandson, Brad Lantagne; and siblings; Lucille (Edward) Harkins, Isadore (Addelade) Provencher and Philip (Michelle) Provencher Jr.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1432 River St. in Niagara, with Rev. Felix Abano officiating the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Niagara Cemetery.

Jean’s family would like to thank the caring staff of Unity Hospice in De Pere, Wis., as well as all of the amazing friends and neighbors that reached out during these difficult days.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Jean Marie Merritt online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.