Tunbridge, Vt. —
He was born Sept. 6, 1940, in Chelsea, Vt., the son of Everett G. and Bernice M. (Flint) LaFrancis. He attended school on the Chelsea West Hill.
On Oct. 11, 1971, he married Mary Ellen Luce of Tunbridge. They lived two years in Chelsea before moving to Tunbridge. Mary Ellen died March 21, 1989. On June 15, 1991, he married Barbara (Thompson) Larrabee of Plainfield, Vt. They have lived in Tunbridge since.
Merland had worked at Bilodeau Granite, Beck & Beck Granite and Rouleau Granite all of Barre, Vt. before retiring in 1998.
He was a former member of George Washington Lodge #51 F. & A.M. of Chelsea. He enjoyed spending time with his family, antique tractor collecting, hunting, fishing, tractor pulls, Tunbridge Memorial Day Parade, Tunbridge Fair, four-wheeling, people watching and telling stories.
He is survived by his wife Barbara LaFrancis of Tunbridge; a son Michael LaFrancis and his wife Andrea of Leesville, La.; two daughters Melissa Gokey and her husband Ed of North Bangor, N.Y., and Monica Deberville of East Barre, Vt.; three stepsons Alan Larrabee of Williamstown, Vt., Brian Larrabee and his wife Deb of Plainfield, Vt. and David Larrabee and his girlfriend Holly of Plainfield; 12 grandsons; four great-grandsons; a sister Barbara Woodworth and her husband Richard of Constable, N.Y.; a sister-in-law Janet LaFrancis of Chelsea; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by five brothers Kermit LaFrancis, Nelson LaFrancis, Edwin LaFrancis, Irving LaFrancis and Lewis LaFrancis; and two sisters Dorothy Moore and Bettyann Hook.
There are no public calling hours. A graveside memorial service will be held, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Spring Road Cemetery in Tunbridge. The family would like those attending to dress in casual entire; flannel, tractor, or fair shirts are encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, First Branch Ambulance, P.O. Box 74, Chelsea, VT 05038. A private message for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com. The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea is in charge of arrangements.