Delbert "Bud" Lloyd Merrill

Bud was born in Ponoka to parents Delbert and Elsie Merrill passed away at the Ponoka Care Centre on April 24,2026 at the age of 94 years and 10 months.

Bud’s birth certificate reads Delbert Lloyd Merrill, but his dad was so thrilled to have a little buddy around, that he called him Buddy. There was a song “My Buddy” that his dad like that validated this new name too.

He spent his entire life farming in the Seafield District. He has shared many happy memories growing up with his two sisters, Grandparents and cousins close by. Bud’s Dad became frail at a young age and unable to do a lot of manual farm work, so Bud and his mom became responsible for most of the mixed farming work. Bud started his farming career at a very young age.

He went to school at the Seafield School. In the colder winter months, he stayed at his Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Florence Lance’ farm near the school. He would then be the first one at school and start the wood burning stove, so it was nice and warm for the teacher and students. In the summer he walked or rode his horse to school.

At the age of 18, his dad bought a steel wheel 1530 International tractor and told Bud “Here drive it”. Bud broke land with that tractor, and a tiller. They also did a lot of farming with a team of horses. They hauled wood for the wood stove, square bales, manure, straw, and anything else that needed to be moved. At that age, he worked at a couple of lumber camps to make a few extra dollars.

Bud married the love of his life, Donna McGarvey, on January 29, 1953. They were always together; and they went everywhere together. They raised 5 children on the farm where Bud grew up with no running water, sewer system, or central heating. The house was heated with 2 wood burning stoves, one for cooking and one for the living room. Bud sawed the wood and the whole family hauled it in. Everyone ran the water in and out.

Farming took up most of the time. There were milk cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, horses, goats, ducks and geese. Bud and the family worked very hard. Bud was a proud farmer and he “made hay while the sun was shining.”

The most exhilarating time of year for Bud was threshing time. He had a team of horses as a young adult and brought the team with him to thresh with a crew that even had a bunkhouse that followed the crew from neighbor to neighbor. Eventually, Bud bought his own threshing machine. Years later, reluctantly, he finally bought a swather and a combine but wasn’t totally convinced this was the best way to go.

Bud also worked at the Ponoka Stock Yards every Wednesday for $10.00 a day. The livestock was hauled in by the farmers and then it was loaded on the train. There was the occasional runaway, which made the day a little more hectic.

In 1978 they set up a new homestead just down the road. By then the equipment had all been modernized. He was extra fond of John Deere Green. He and his sons were in the farming game together now.

There were so many good times at both places. They hosted several sleigh riding parties followed by dancing and singing in the house. Bud played the mouth organ and Donna played the piano. Birthday parties were celebrated with a wiener roast. The kids would find their green willow stick and Bud sharpened up the end.

Christmases were epic. The house was brimming over with family members from near and far. One little one had a cozy bed in a closet. A 30-pound turkey barely covered dinner. Everyone was welcome and Bud loved every chaotic minute.

Bud played baseball with the Seafield team. Many times, at the Morningside ball diamond. Also, Friday nights were dance nights at Morningside. Bud and Donna loved to dance. Dad was an excellent “square dance caller.”

Other entertainment was card parties with friends and neighbors.

Of course, there was a tight knit neighborhood that planned many picnics. Bud cleared out an area on the farm and dug a hole for the latrine. This eventually became the favorite getaway for many other family members and friends. All were welcome. The first of many off farm camping trip was with the Lux family out to the Clearwater River campsite west of the Corkscrew Mountain. We had an old blue canvas tent, and all the gear. This started his love of camping which he and Donna and various family members enjoyed. We ate so many jack fish from Medicine Lake. The biggest deal was camping at Whiterock with the Pugh’s near the ocean.

Bud was always ready to lend a hand wherever he was needed. Many times, he would get the tractor out and pull someone out of the ditch in the winter. There was a little hill south of the driveway that was just a little too icy. More than once, there was too much snow, and the carload of rescuees spent the night at their house. There were the fires; someone’s pumphouse, a runaway brush pile fire and more. If a neighbor was sick or injured, he would help with the chores or get their crop in the bin.

When Donna became successful with baking a “gazillion” items of bread, cinnamon buns and pastries for the Farmers Market, Bud had another part time job. He helped her do everything from start to finish with baking, wrapping, dish washing, hauling to the market, and locking the door after a long day of market day. This suited Bud fine because he got to visit and coffee with so many old and new friends. He made friends with everyone. He had a handshake and smile that made you feel so welcome in his presence. His sense of humor was so contagious, he would have us all feeling uplifted and happy.

Life was rolling along just fine for the family, until Donna passed away quite suddenly in 2022. Bud missed her dearly. However, he carried on and lived independently, with a little help from the family. He had 2 cats that were his best buddies when he was alone. He sat in his chair and watched the birds empty the bird feeder. His eyesight and hearing were fading, so he needed backup for accounting & banking. He never missed an offer to go to town or supper. His favorite coffee and Sunday breakfast venue was at the A&W. His mind was so sharp, he knew the answers to everything from where, when and why he bought equipment, old oil lease details that had changed names, how old every cow was and her calves, the list goes on. He carried such a wealth of history and trivia that happened in his lifetime.

Bud lived on the farm independently until he took a fall in January. Usually, he would fall and bounce back up hoping no one noticed. He had so many near misses during his lifetime. This time, he did get a little injury.  Despite his best efforts and strong will, he said “I just can’t get my feet under me”.

We are going to miss our Dad, he was simply the best. We are so grateful we got to have him a few more years after Mom died. We all got to know him just a little bit better and appreciate him even more for the fine upstanding man he was.

Bud is survived by his children Lorraine Dusseault-Breitkreuz (Leo Breitkreuz), Everett Merrill (Darlene), Patsy Erickson (James Roberts), Del Merrill (Wendy Coulter) and Ken Merrill (Tara Rakai); sister-in-law Carol Lenton; 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife Donna; parents Elsie and Charles Delbert Merrill; parents-in-law Edna and Leland McGarvey; sisters and their husbands Ruth and George Cole, and Lois and Frank Vogel; sister-in-law Aurla Dueck and her husband Ed Dueck; brother-in-law Chuck Lenton; sons-in-law Doug Erickson and Daniel Dusseault; grandson-in-law Matt Thompson; grandson Nicholas Johnston; and numerous extended family and friends.

Everyone is welcome to see Bud one last time at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Ponoka Funeral Home, followed by an Interment Service at Forest Home Cemetery, Ponoka, at 2:00 p.m. where all are welcome to join the famliy.

There will be a lunch and socializing at the Morningside Hall for everyone after the Interment Service.

Donations in memory of Bud are gratefully accepted to any charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to extend a thank-you to Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre and their staff for the continuring care of Bud over past few months. They would also like to thank Home Care staff members who diligently assisted Bud. 

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