"KOHLER, Merrill Rodney—68, of Halifax; it is with heavy hearts we announce Merrill's passing at the Victoria General on March 7, 2013, after a brief but courageous battle with acute leukemia. Born in West Green Harbour, Shelburne County, he was the son of the late Rodney and Euphemia (Scott) Kohler. Merrill and Bonnie came to Shelburne in 1976, after 13 years in Toronto. In 2010 they moved to Halifax to be closer to hospitals. Merrill suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for more than 40 years, lost most of his vision in 2001, and suffered a leg amputation in 2003. Merrill was a trooper, working and living against great odds and great pain. He loved his Saviour, family, and friends. He became a devoted follower of Jesus Christ in 1983. He was a member of Hope Wesleyan Church in Shelburne and served on the board. While living in Halifax, Merrill and Bonnie could be seen on their scooters, travelling about for shopping, sight-seeing, and enjoying picnics at Point Pleasant Park. Merrill worked in banking, insurance, driving limousines at Toronto International Airport, and driving bus for Mississauga Transit. In Shelburne, he worked for various fish plants in the office, and then ran his own business, Shelburne Exchange, a scrap metal buyer, bottle exchange, and tool rental shop. Just before losing his eyesight he and Bonnie travelled Southwestern Nova Scotia selling tools, candy, and specialties. Merrill is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Snow), of 48 years; by daughter Cathy (Guy) Striker, Hope, BC; Cecil, Ontario; and step-son Rick (Sylvia), of Innisfil, ON; by brothers Peter (Carroll) and Frank (Judy). Merrill's grandchildren were the joy of his later life: Matthew, Jordan, Mikayla, Brandi, Kelsey, Thomas, Zoe, Abigail, Aaron and Ronan, and his two great-grandchildren, Aaron and Bryce...."
(H. M. Huskilson's Funeral Homes & Crematorium)