MERRELL, Alvin Eugene
ALVIN EUGENE MERRELL 
Alvin Eugene "Gene" Merrell was the sixth child born to Hugo Stanley and Bessie Fawn (Utterback) Merrell in Wingate, Coal Creek Township, Montgomery County Indiana on November 27, 1924. Dr. F. Allhands delivered him at 9 a.m.
He enlisted in the US Army on the 7th of July in 1943 and served until 23 May 1946. His time was spent in the Combat Engineers and 26th Infantry Division, being wounded during the Battle of the Bulge on Christmas Day in 1944. He spent the next 18 months in army hospitals.
He married Helen Kelly in 1946, moving to Fresno California five years later. They were married 60 years before he passed. He worked for some time with the JC Penney Company but 24 years as Display DIrector for Walter Smith Clothing in Fresno.
Two sons were born to Helen and Gene, Michael and Bryan.
His death occurred 24 March 2006 and he is buried in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery (Sec C-12 Site 478) in Gustine, California.