Melvin "Merrell" D. Poston, 89, passed away Saturday, December 31st, 2022.  He was born on February 06, 1933, in Providence, KY to the late Eddie Poston and Josephine Bell Butler.  He was raised by his grandparents the late Quint and Lilly Poston.

Merrell attended Community Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon.

He received his education the Public school system of Providence KY.

He worked at Niagara Plastics retiring in 1993. Merrell served in the United States Army, where he was a Paratrooper, fought in the Korean War and awarded a Purple Heart. He also served during the 1 ^st integrated 82 ^nd Air Born Regiment.

Merrell was a loyal and dedicated international traveling Masonary. One of the original members of Booker T. Washington Lodge #9 established in Erie PA.

Merrell had a fetish for cars, loved everything Western, playing cards, fishing and enjoyed spending quality time with friends and family.

In addition, to his parents and grandparents he was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline Dell Akins-Poston; a son Rayvern Mathis; three brothers – Alphonso Butler, Robert Butler, Randolph Butler, and his special brother Allie Porter; and sister Marilyn Butler Poston.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children  – all of Erie, Melvin Poston Jr, Lionel Poston, Michael Wardell, Merrell (Uneika) Timmons, Marcus Poston, Quinton (Christa) Akins, James Akins, Eric Akins, Douglas "Anthony" Akins, Dioone Akins, and Alexandrina Timmons; Merrell loved, cared, helped and raise many others as well – Maruella Poston, Lavette Poston, Lori Williams, Melanie Poston, Kenny Henderson, Frances Henderson, Kathrine Henderson (deceased), James Henderson, Micheal Henderson, Larry Mathis (deceased), Jackie Mathis, Lynette Mathis, Eric Mathis (deceased), Sheila Mathis, Shirley Mathis, Charles Mathis, and Sandy Mathis;  two sisters - Viola Parker and Venola (Marshall) Clanton; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; god Sisters: Linda Woodard and Brenda Paige; lifetime friends: Gloria Brodie, John Hancock and Mary Hall; and longtime special friend and caregiver: Deborah Foreman.