May 5, 2021
Darlene Joy (Diffenderfer) Merritts, 84, of Juniata, Altoona, passed away peacefully at Maybrook Rehabilitation Center in Altoona on Thursday. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Clarence and Gladys (Robinson) Diffenderfer. She married John Milton Merritts on Sept. 27,
1958. He preceded her in death in 2016, after a beautiful 57-year marriage.
She is survived by her four children: Timothy (Sharon), Lisa (Jim Hite), Lori (Dominic Dugo), and Lynne Daniels; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was a 1955 graduate of Altoona High School.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Mauk and Yates Funeral Home Inc., 719 N. Fourth Avenue, Juniata. Interment will be made at Blair Memorial Park, Antis Township.