Obituary of Merle D Getchell, Jr

Merle D. Getchell, Jr., 87, of Peabody passed away October 8, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House following a short illness, surrounded by his family. Merle was born on December 6, 1931 at home in Danvers, Massachusetts, son of the late Merle D. Getchell, Sr., and Harriet (Hunter) Getchell.

He was raised in Danvers and graduated from Holten High School in 1949. He graduated from Franklin Institute in 1951. An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1952 – 1956, stationed in Florida and Okinawa, Japan. He was an electrician in Local 103 in Boston for 62 years. He retired in 1993.

He leaves his loving and devoted wife Rachel (Dupuis) Getchell; his daughter Melanie Getchell; his sons Mark Getchell and his wife Marie and Mitch Getchell and his wife Judy; and his stepdaughter Jayne Mills and her husband Peter Julien. He was Grampy to Matthew,  Marisa, Macy, and Danielle Getchell, Nicole Sloane, Amanda Eisele, Emily Charbonneau and her husband Phil, and Hannah Walke and his great grandson Jasper Eisele. He also leaves his brother Bruce Getchell and his wife Carol; his brother-in-law Richard Dupuis and his wife Jan; his former wife and mother of his children Betty Getchell; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many friends. He was the brother of the late Paul Getchell. He was a member of the West Church, Johnson Street, Peabody, Massachusetts.

Following cremation, visiting hours will be held on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody and his Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 3:00 PM at the West Church, Johnson St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, donate to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St, Danvers, MA 01923 or West Church, Johnson St, Peabody, MA 01960.