Walter R. "Sparky" Merrifield Jr., 99, of Lancaster, PA died peacefully Monday, December 17, 2012 at Manor Care in Lancaster.

He was the husband of Katharine Lucile (Dawson) Merrifield of Lancaster.  They had observed their 65 ^th wedding anniversary in June.

Born in Baynesville, Baltimore County, MD he was the son of the late Walter R. Merrifield, Sr. and Ida Mae (Sims) Merrifield.

He lived in Towson and Lutherville, MD for 76 years, moving to Lancaster in 1990.

Sparky worked for the Martin Marietta Corp in Baltimore as a material analyst for 40 years before retiring in 1976, and was a former member of the Towson Methodist Church for over 50 years.  More recently he was a member of the Hempfield United Methodist Church.

Sparky had always been an avid golfer, shooting his age on a few occasions.  He played soccer for ten years in the Greater Baltimore Soccer League and was All-Maryland Lacrosse goalie for two years in high school.  He was a member of the Old Timers Soccer Association of Maryland.

He was a Mason, a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge #116 F.&A.M. in Towson, MD; a 33 ^rd degree Scottish Rite Member from the Valley of Baltimore, a member of Boumi Temple Shrine, the Harem, the Ambassadors, the Joppatowne Square Club, Chesapeake Scottish Rite Club, Bonnie Blink Day Time Lodge #1 F.&A.M. and the Lancaster Shrine Club.

Sparky is survived by two daughters:  Janis Bleecher and Kathy Miller, both of Lancaster; grandchildren Kristopher and Jason Bleecher and Stacey, Debbie, and Eric Miller; three step-granddaughters:  Susan, Tonia, and Jill; and four great-grandchildren:  Kayla, Eliza, Justina, and Dylan.

All services will be private.

Please omit flowers.  Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Dr., Box 4125, Lancaster, PA  17601.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to all the staff at Manor Care who showed such love and compassion, and also to everyone at Hospice who went the extra mile for Sparky and his loved ones.  To place a condolence online, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661