Name: Irvin Merrifield Obituary: Irvin (Irv) Edward Merrifield, one of the original Durhamites, born January 27, 1926 at home to Durham pioneers, Benjamin and Elizabeth Merrifield, died Monday March 1, 2010. He was surrounded by his family in his final hours. Growing up on his childhood dairy farm, Irvin attended Durham schools and graduated in 1943 from Durham High School. He attended St Joseph's and St Patrick's seminaries in Menlo Park in preparation for the priesthood. In 1945, he left the seminary to attend Cal Berkeley. He then met the love of his life, Ruth Marie Schoenstein of San Francisco. Irvin and Ruth married in 1949, and returned to the Durham family homestead. After a short stint on the family dairy, they moved to Chico and Irvin secured a managerial position with the Diamond Lumber Company (then Diamond Match) working for 36 years, in Chico, Orland, Redding and then back to Chico. Irvin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Marie Schoenstein, and his extensive family: three daughters, Caren Merrifield Svejda (husband Ron) of Orland, Jodi Merrifield Barnett (husband Mike) of Penn Valley, Elizabeth (Beth) Merrifield Mullins (husband Waif) of Chico, and three sons, Michael (Mike) Merrifield (wife Ann) of Orland, Patrick (Pat) Merrifield (wife Marjorie) of Durham, and Timothy Merrifield (wife Angela) of San Jose. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, and 11 great- grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Merrifield and his sister, Jenevieve Maxwell Fletcher. Irvin was active in numerous organizations to which he dedicated his life: 4-H Key Leader, Knights of Columbus, Exchange Club, Butte County S.T.A.R.S., and Good Sam's. He spent his leisure hours with his family, chasing "the big one" at Eagle Lake in Susanville, weekly pinochle with the "boys", and was very active in St James Catholic Church in Durham. Irvin was loved by many and will be missed by all. "Husband, Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Dear Friend." Be with God. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2010 at Brusie Funeral Home, followed immediately by a vigil service and rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services and a mass will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at St James Church in Durham at 11:00 a.m., followed with internment at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, a reception will follow. Donations, in lieu of flowers to the St James Church Building Fund, c/o St John The Baptist Church, 435 Chestnut Street, Chico CA, 95928. Visitations: 5:00PM to 8:00PM on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at Brusie Funeral Home (Prayer at 7:00PM) (map/driving directions) Services: 11:00AM at St. James Catholic Church on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 (map/driving directions)