Lt. Col. Merrill A. Sweitzer, Jr.

LT. COL. MERRILL A. SWEITZER, JR.

Merrill Arden Sweitzer, Jr., 90, of Salladasburg, Pa., died on Oct. 5, 2025, at The Gatehouse Hospice in Williamsport.

Born Feb. 20, 1935, and raised in Oval, Pa., Merrill was the oldest son of the late Merrill A. Sweitzer, Sr. and Helen Sue Mantle Sweitzer.

He attended Jersey Shore Area High School, graduating in 1953, and went on to attend Lock Haven University, where he was a standout athlete and Captain of the Track and Field Team. During his two year tenure as the state champion in the mile, he earned the iconic nickname “Merrill the Miler.”

In 1957, at Jersey Shore’s Saint Luke’s Catholic Church, Merrill married his high school sweetheart, Helen Therese (Terry) Ann Lauler, daughter of the late John W. Lauler, M.D., and Ruth Ann Crandall, both of Jersey Shore.

Years later, his greatest disappointment was losing Terry at the young age of 46, but he proudly worked to raise their seven children solely and took great joy in seeing them grow, graduate from college and become successful and responsible citizens.

As a proud American and decorated veteran, Merrill’s illustrious military career began in 1957 when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his esteemed career, which spanned 20 years, Merrill was consistently commended for his superior leadership and unwavering devotion to duty.

Distinguished highlights were evidenced by the numerous decorations he received including: Legion of Merit with Combat V, a second Legion of Merit, Purple Heart Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Actions Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation 2 awards, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with four stars, Vietnam Honor Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, United Nations Medal, Security Guard Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.

After retiring from the Marines in 1978, Merrill began what would become a second successful career, as the State College Area School District’s Director of Physical Plant. His total quality management style covering 14 school buildings, as well as full and part-time custodial staff, over 300 acres of grounds and 1 million square feet of building space, was recognized by the Governor of Pennsylvania, and his written work published in American School and University Magazine.

Hunting and fishing were Merrill’s most favored pastimes, and he was at his happiest when enjoying these activities with his sons and grandsons. He spent time gardening, hiking, jogging and viewing wildlife, and found peace in the quiet beauty of the outdoors. He enjoyed reading and music, and through his Christian faith, he was sustained by the hope of heaven. Merrill was a true patriot who loved life and gave of himself to family, friends and country.

Merrill is survived by son John Sweitzer and his wife, Sara, of Sharps Chapel, Tenn., and their children, Jason (wife Emily), Jennifer (husband Dave) and Laura (husband Ryan); daughter Terry DonTigny and her husband, Steve, of Falls Church, Va., and their daughter, Emilie; Timothy Sweitzer, of Oval, Pa.; David Sweitzer and his wife, Michele, of Avon, Conn., and their sons Josh, Bobby, David, Jr., Matthew and Nicholas; Michael Sweitzer and his wife, Molly, of Flat Rock, N.C., and their children, Madison, Samuel and Owen; Andrew Sweitzer and his wife, Shannon, of Dallas, Pa., and their children, Caleb and Emma; Douglas Sweitzer and his wife, Marcia, of Brogue, Pa., and their daughters, Terese and Nicolle (husband Luke).

He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and counting; sister Roberta King, of Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa., and her children Karen, Beth and Andy; and sister Carolyn Reitman, of Brookville, Md., and her children, Joseph, Lori and John.

Viewing will be held at the Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore, Pa., from 5-7 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.

Graveside service will be held at the Oval Cemetery, 6743 PA-44, Jersey Shore, Pa., at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, with full military honors conducted by the Jersey Shore Honor Guard.

A Celebration of Merrill’s Life will take place at the Family Homestead on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 12-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation or the Cancer Research Institute.

To view his full obituary, please go to www.welkerfuneralhome.com.

For more details about Merrill’s life, please go to www.ltcolsweitzer.net.