MERRILL, Danny Ray/David Lee
Source: "Obituaries - Year - 1960 Volume B" from the Covington Public Library. 14 July 1961
The Wabash, a river of beauty, in song and story, became a stream of tragedy near the Portland Arch community Monday afternoon. Striking twice in the same family, a triple tragedy occurred near its banks at 3:15 p.m. when four young boys went wading. Only one returned.
Dead, victims of drowning, are the Merrill brothers, Danny Ray, 12, and David Lee, 6; and David Woods, 9, all of nearby Portland Arch (Fountain). Arliss Woods, 13, said to be the only swimmer in the group, managed to survive after making a vain attempt , to rescue his brother. The boys were trapped by the river, while wading near the shore, when they suddenly stepped into a deep wash-out.
The first body to be recovered was that of David Woods at 4:25 p.m. Monday. At 8:05 that night the river gave up David Lee Merrill to rescue workers. The body of Danny Ray Merrill was recovered three miles downstream at the Ralph Hunt farm on Wednesday around noon.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Merrill, parents of two of the victims, have two other sons. Mr. Merrill is employed by the Dri-All Dryers.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Woods, parents of David, have 12 other children. Mr. Woods is employed by the State Highway Garage in Veedersburg.
Combined services for the three youths were held at the Roemer Funeral Home in Attica Thursday at 2 pm. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. - jz