Dr. Merrill L. Cleveland, 84, of Buckingham's Choice, died on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Phyllis Lorene Cleveland, who died May 27, 2009. Born February 29, 1928, in Orleans, IN, he was the son of the late Roscoe William and Bernice Irene Hill Cleveland. Dr. Cleveland received his Bachelors degree from Indiana State University in 1950; his Master's degree from Purdue University in 1954; and his Doctorate, also from Purdue, in 1964. He began a long career of federal service in 1956 as a research entomologist with the Department of Agriculture. His career brought him to this area as Assistant Chief of the Fruit Insects Branch, Entomology Division, Department of Agriculture. He held numerous other management positions with the Department of Agriculture until his retirement in 1986, from the Agriculture Research Division of the U. S. D. A. In early years, he was active with the Boy Scouts of America and had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of the Entomologist Society of America; Indiana Academy of Sciences; American Men of Science; and Acarologist of the World Who's Who. Active in the community, he was involved with numerous civic organizations over the years including the Lions, Rotary International, Kiwanis, Optimist and Civitan Clubs. He is survived by a son, Mark A. Cleveland, of Hume, VA, and two grandchildren, Kiera and Robert Cleveland and one sister, Margaret Cleveland, of Orleans, IN. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013, at Buckingham's Choice, 3200 Baker Circle, Adamstown. Arrangements are by the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.
