5/18/12 —- David L. Merzbacher, Jr

David L. Merzbacher, Jr. of Tullahoma passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the age of 90.

Preceded in death by his loving wife of 29 years, Hildred , Mr. Merzbacher was born in Dallas, Texas. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the 384th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force in England and France with the 824th Engineering Squadron.

He attended Texas A&M University until he enlisted with the United States Army Air Force where he served from 1942-1945. Moving to Tullahoma in 1959, he gained employment with Sverdrup Corporation at Arnold Engineering Development Center as a wind tunnel engineer. He retired from AEDC in 1984. He was a long time parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church serving as Eucharistic minister and lector.

He is survived by three loving children, David Merzbacher III, Mike Merzbacher (Martha), and Teresa Houstrup (Jody); four grandchildren, Katie O’Bryan (Randy), Chris Merzbacher, Mary Beth Goodrum (Brent), and Tricia Houstrup.

He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and is already greatly missed.

David’s home in his last year was West Meade Nursing Home in Nashville, TN.

The family would like to thank the staff at West Meade as well as ALIVE Hospice at St. Thomas Hospital for the wonderful care and attention they gave to their father.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 5:00-8:00pm at Kilgore Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 18, 2012 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at 11:00am with Father Philip Breen officiating and burial to follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with military honors.

Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ALIVE Hospice at St. Thomas Hospital 4220 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.