Merlin F. Black, age 79, of Bellbrook, passed away Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 in Beavercreek. He was born September 2nd, 1940 to Timothy and Frances (O'Hara) Black. Merlin graduated from Bellbrook High School in 1958. He joined the Army Reserves a week out of high school and was active duty for six years. In 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Judith Ellen "Judy" Black, and they were married for over 55 years. They lived on Carpenter Road their entire married life, and wouldn't have had it any other way! While living there, they loved watching nature and wildlife, and enjoyed time with their neighbors. They also enjoyed going on motorcycle rides through the countryside. Merlin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy, his parents, and his brother, Herbert Black. They were blessed with a wonderful son Mark, his wife, Lori, and their children, Caitlin and Adam Black. They were always in close touch, and were Merlin and Judith's number one care. The O’Diam families and a special niece Cheryl (Gregg) Fahrenholz were very dear to him, as well as many other family members and close friends. To help the family celebrate his life, please use Merlin's online Book of Memories to share condolences and memories on his tribute wall by going to www.ConnerAndKoch.com and clicking on his name. A private graveside service for his immediate family will be held at Bellbrook Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, a memorial service will be held in his honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the James Cancer Center—PO Box 710811, Columbus, OH 43271 or online at www.giveto.osu.edu. Copyright Notice © 2020 (Conner & Koch Life Celebration Home) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This obituary is a work protected under international and federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this compiled work may be reproduced, altered or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author. The author hereby grants the newspaper the right to publish the complied work on the dates and location provided in the submission details and further grants to the newspaper the right to reproduce the work electronically in any website or digital medium owned or controlled by the newspaper provided the copy is not altered or modified in any way. The funeral home's website domain must accompany any reproduction of the work. The work must not be used for or by any person for direct commercialized gain in competition with the author, the funeral home, or their respective businesses. Privacy Disclaimer The information contained in this Book of Memories is intended solely for the private use of the families and friends of the deceased to support each other and honor, respect and pay tribute to the memory of the deceased. Any and all other use is strictly prohibited. Without limiting the foregoing, any reproduction, distribution of the information contained herein, nor any contact or solicitation of any person identified in this work, nor any attempt to use the information in the work is prohibited.