Sixteen Year Old Thayne Boy Dies In Sulphur Springs Swimming Pool

Drowning Not Sure Cause of Death

Alan Merritt, 16 son of Mr and Mrs Jos. Merritt of Thayne died at the Sulphur Spring Wednesday night.
It is not certain whether his death was due to drowning or some other cause.
About 10 p.m. his companions missed him from the swimming pool and started to look for him. They went to his dressing room and his clothes were there, so they looked in the swimming pool and found his body in the bottom of the pool.
The doctor was called at once and pronounced Alan dead, but did not make a statement as to the cause of death. There was no water in his lungs and death may have been caused by drowning or some other cause. The doctor found no bruises on the body or head.
Mr Keith Hyde, owner of the resort talked to the parents of Alan and said they tod him that Alan was subject to faining spells, so it is possible he fainted with sitting on the edge and slumped into the water.
The last time one of his pals spoke to him he was sitting on the step in the pool and said he had a terrible pain in his arm. several minutes later they missed him and could not find him in the pool or dressing room. The bottom of the pool was then searched and the body found.
Funeral services will be held in the Stake House in Afton at 1:00 p.m. Saturday.

Merritt, Alan (1) (17 Apr 1947)Star Valley Independent

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 19, in the Stake House at Afton for Alan Merritt, son of Bishop and Mrs Joseph M. Merritt.
On April 16 Alan and several other boys from Thayne were swimming in the Sulphur Springs pool at Auburn, when without being missed he sank to the bottom of the pool and was not missed until the other boys were ready to come home.
Alan was born August 25, 1931 at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Several years ago his parents moved to Thayne and have resided here since. Alan was a sophomore in the high school at Afton an was very well known among the students of the school.
The funeral services which commenced at 1:00 p.m. Saturday April 19 was presided over and conducted by Bishop Oliver Haderlie of the Thayne Ward.
Processional music: "O Promise Me" was played by Orlan white, accompanied by Ernest Turner.
A double mixed quartet :"Oh My Father" by Mr and Mrs Calvin Pendleton, Mr and Mrs Raymond Humpherys, Mr and Mrs Myron White, Mrs Elaine Dana, Ern Turner and Mr Orlan White.
Prayer was offered by Lynn Olsen of Logan, Utah.
Principal O.J. Holaway of the Star Valley High School told of his association with Alan as a student and assured the parents that their son was on the right side in life and was a good citizen of the school.
Sister Alda Gardner, Seminary teacher gave a sketch of Alan's life in verse.
Bishop Arch Gardner of the Afton South ward then sang "The Lord's Prayer" accompanied by Nada Joy Gardner.
Wallace B. Grady, in charge of the Star Valley Seminary, told how Alan had always been willing and ready to take part in any program or play given by his class.
Bishop R.R. Dana of Thayne ward stated that he had known the Merritt family all their life, and lived neighbors to them for many years. He also praised them for their sincerity and honesty.
The High School Glee Club then sang "God So Loved the World".
Albert Barrus representing the family told of the good that came from righteous living and bore a strong testimony of the gospel.
Bishop Oliver Haderlie then praised the good work that Alan had done as a young man holding the priesthood. Also in winning quorum an individual awards. He stated that the family were real Latter-day Saints and lived the teachings of the church. Alan has taken part in several M.I.A. plays and always cheerful and willing. He will be greatly missed by the boys and girls of his age,
The High School Glee Club sang as a closing number"Christian the Morn Breaks Over You."

Merritt, Alan (2) (24 Apr 1947)Star Valley Independent

Alan George MERRITT is the son of Joseph Marvin Merritt and Lera Barrus Merritt