Merrill Dever

Merrill T. (Bud) Dever, age 83, of Millcreek, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at UPMC Hamot.

He was born in Erie on October 31, 1929, son of the late Merrill T. and Rose Miller Dever, Sr.

He graduated from Strong Vincent High School and went on to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. Merrill also graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.

Merrill had a long career in law enforcement. He served in the Millcreek Township Police Department for almost 30 years, starting as a patrolman and retiring as the Chief of Police. He then continued his career as the Director of Security at Mercyhurst College. He also managed U. S. Securities and was a part time tipstaff for Judge Michael Dunlavey.

Merrill was a very active member of Our Lady of Peace Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and was also involved with the Cursillo program. He was very interested in Civil War history and was involved with the Civil War Roundtable. He was instrumental in the placement of the General Strong Vincent statue outside of the Blasco Library. He sang with the Danish Choristers and a group called the Four Bucks.

Merrill also enjoyed hunting, gardening and cooking, especially Thanksgiving turkeys. The most important thing in life to him was his family and he enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Ann Dever; a son, James (Jody) Dever; three brothers, David, Donald and James Dever; and a granddaughter, Kelly-Jo Dever.

He is survived by his son; Chris Dever and three daughters; Lori Dever, Robin Dever-Liberatore (Michael), and Beth Butala (Gregg); three granddaughters, Meagan and Jennifer Cousins and Ashley Liberatore; a grandson, Mike Dever; 3 great-grandchildren, Trent, Tia and Gabriel Dever; and a brother, Robert "Bobby" Dever (Ursula Rose). He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and his beloved Golden Retriever, Buddy.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street (at Powell Ave.) on Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00 pm and 6:00 until 8:00 pm. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home Monday morning at 9:15, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Church at 10:00 am with the Very Reverand John J. Detisch officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 823 Filmore, Erie, PA 16505 or to the ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10th Street, Erie, PA 16511.