To the editor:

This is for the friends and customers of Merl Jackson.
On Feb. 12 we lost a local businessman and a talented friend to all. Merl Jackson ran South County Sales and Service at 1210 Wayne St.
If you had a problem with your snow blower, mower or small engine, he was always there with advice as to how to do it, or would repair it for you.
I first met Merl when we were employed at National Standard, 11th Street plant, in Niles. Merl was promoted to supervisor and worked several years in Niles. Merl was transferred to the Corbin, Kent., plant as a maintenance supervisor. When he left that position, he returned to the Niles area and opened the repair service on Wayne Street.
Merl’s health started to fail him after several years, but he would still open his shop for friends and customers if they needed parts. The last few months he would come down to the shop on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons so his friends could stop in and visit him. We usually had several people stop in for 30 minutes or so just to say, “hello,” and see how Merl was doing, or if he needed anything.
Merl was born and raised on a small dairy farm around Fort Wayne and Marion, Ind.
He always enjoyed telling about his early years on the farm. Merl will be missed by his family and the many friends he made over the years.
God bless his family and friends.

David Rachels
Niles