Dr. Jonathan Ray Merrill, 75, of Hartwell, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.

Born on May 19, 1947 in Wheaton, IL, he was the son of the late Raymond K. Merrill and Jane Needham Merrill and was proud to have grown up in Elgin, Illinois.  Dr. Merrill was a Phi Beta Kappa magna cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College. His medical degree came from Northwestern University Medical Center, where he remained for internship and surgical residency. He completed surgical residency at Georgia Baptist Medical Center and practiced in Atlanta until 1983, at which point he fell in love with the lake and moved to Hartwell. He had privileges at Hart County Hospital, Cobb Memorial Hospital, Elbert Memorial Hospital, and St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital.  He was a member of Anderson Road Runners, Rotary, Optimists, Elks, Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, American Cancer Society, Society for Scientific Exploration and numerous medical associations. Jon was also a member of the Hartwell First United Methodist Church, a member of the Cateechee Country Club, former member of the Hartwell Rotary Club, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgery.

He is survived by his only daughter: Melissa Merrill of Athens; two brothers: Dan Merrill of Elgin, IL and Scott Merrill and his wife Hope of Wauconda, IL; sister: Jan Fennelly of Cheyenne, WY; two nephews: Anthony Merrill & Chet Fennelly; one great-niece Olivia Merrill; and one grand-dog: Ludo.

It was Dr. Merrill's wishes to be cremated and a celebration of his life will be held on January 11, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cateechee Country Club in Hartwell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.