Merlin V. Roach, age 90 of Newaygo, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, February 19, 2021. Merlin was born on October 24, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio to Vern and Carrie (Linke) Roach and later married Helen L. Smith on August 18, 1956 in Detroit. Helen preceded him in death on January 19, 1999. Merlin had been an train engineer for Conrail/New York Central Railroad in Detroit for many years until his retirement in 1980. Merlin and Helen then moved to the Newaygo area and Merlin became a janitor at the Vera Wiltse Elementary School for 15 years until his final retirement in 1995. Merlin was a veteran of the Korean War where he served in the United States Air Force as a B-29 Gunner until his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant. Merlin enjoyed living on the Muskegon River – fishing, boating and hunting. Merlin is survived by his children, Michael Roach of Taylor, Michigan; David (Donna) Roach of Taylor; Nancy C. (Raymond) Osburn of Newaygo; James (significant other, Brenda) Roach of Croton; 8 grandchildren; several great grandchildren. Merlin was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his sister, Susie Sumner and his brother, Don Roach. VISITATION : Friday, February 26, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel 7193 W 48th Street Fremont MI 49412 with MILITARY HONORS at 3pm and FUNERAL SERVICES following. INTERMENT : Newaygo Cemetery. Friends may send a condolence, share a memory, or share a photo with the Roach family online at www.crandellfh.com. NOTE : during visitation and funeral services, a limited number of people will be permitted into the funeral home and friends will need to rotate in and out with face coverings being required. Family members and friends not able to attend the services may watch the funeral services via Zoom and will need to contact the funeral home for the Zoom link information prior to the services. Friends may choose to listen to the funeral services via radio broadcasting on their car radios in the funeral home parking lot on the day of the services by tuning their radios to 99.9 starting 5 minutes prior to the services starting. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel 231-924-0800. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Merlin V. Roach, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation Fremont Chapel Friday, February 26, 2021 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412 Military Honors Fremont Chapel Friday, February 26, 2021 3:00 PM 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412 Funeral Service Fremont Chapel Friday, February 26, 2021 3:15 PM 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412