Grantham, N.H. —
He was born on Sept. 18, 1946, in Hanover, N.H., the son of Merton and Pearl (Smith) Hastings, Sr. He was raised in Grantham on the family farm and attended the North Grantham Elementary School and then graduated with the Class of 64 from Lebanon High School. He then married his loving wife Frances Beaupre’ in January of 1968, after which they were blessed with two children.
The couple lived in Lebanon, N.H. where he worked construction until he apprenticed as an electrician and plumber. They then moved and built their own home on his parent’s homestead farm in Grantham. He worked as an oil and gas service tech for many companies including Eaton Oil, Valley Propane, Pratt’s Oil, Agway and then eventually retired from Dartmouth College.
He would have recognized himself as a farmer, ox puller and horse puller. His greatest joy was teaching his granddaughters about horses and how to compete.
He is survived by his loving wife, Frances Beaupre’ Hastings; and their two children, Carrie Lynn with her significant other, William Steller, and his son, Merton Willis, III, with his wife, Sarah Hastings; and two grandchildren, Hannah and Jessica. He was well loved and will be missed by his elder sister, Brenda Ella Day and nieces and nephews.
Services will be held graveside at Hilldale (East Grantham) Cemetery on June 17, 2017, at 11 a.m. Refreshments and time for gathering to be held immediately following at the Grantham Methodist Church Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations sent to “Schell Community Assistance Fund” P.O Box 380, Meriden, NH 03770.
An online guest book is available to leave Mert’s family a message of condolence by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.