Obituary of Merton W. Prime

Mr. Merton W. Prime, 84, of Lafayette Street, Palatine Bridge, New York died Sunday, April 6, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam following a brief illness. Merton was born on June 29, 1923 in Buel, NY, a son of John Prime and Lulah Eckler Prime. Mr. Prime attended Cherry Valley School. He participated in many varsity sports receiving many awards from the local school up on through to the state level. Mr. Prime retired from Beech-Nut Food Corp. in Canajoharie, NY. He was a lifelong area resident. He served for the U.S. Coast Guard with a rank of Seaman First Class. Mr. Prime was of Catholic faith. He was a member of the Beech Nut 25 year club. Mr. Prime was also a former member of the Canajoharie/Fort Plain Elks Lodge #2621. He was an avid card player and enjoyed refinishing furniture, hunting, fishing, camping, and he loved to cook. Merton is predeceased by his first wife, Lonnie Lancaster Prime. He is also predeceased by Three sisters, Pauline Prime Cervo, Belva Nichols, Goldie Gordon; and a granddaughter, Brook Lynn Prime in 2003. Merton is survived by his dear friend and companion of 25 years, Millie Power of Palatine Bridge, NY; a daughter, Paula Hayes and her husband Robert of Canajoharie, NY; two sons, Matthew Prime and his wife Miranda of Sharon Springs, NY and Terry Prime and his wife Sandra of Canajoharie, NY; a sister, Veda Downes of Fort Plain, NY; a brother, Alton Prime of Canajoharie, NY. Also surviving are his 7 grandchildren Todd Prime, Brya Casler, Pierce Hohenstein, Alex and Ryan Hayes, Maximus and Elizabeth Prime and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife Katherine Smith Wittko of Canajoharie as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.