SUMNER — Nathan Keith Merrill, beloved husband and father, cherished son, gifted educator, and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, stepped into eternity with his Savior on Feb. 2 after a sudden illness.

Nathan was born on December 13, 1973 to Erwin and Alberta Merrill. He grew up in South Paris, Maine, and attended the local elementary school. He spent his childhood riding his bike around the neighborhood, collecting Breyer horses, playing with friends and being involved in his church. A couple of favorite childhood memories were trips to Allagash, Maine, and the Morgan Horse Farm in Vermont.

Nathan graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 1992. He went on to attend the University of Maine at Orono, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape/ Horticulture in 1996. Realizing the challenges of finding year round work in this field while at the same time wanting to stay in his beloved state of Maine, Nathan pursued a degree in teaching, completing a Master’s of Art degree in teaching through the University of Maine in 1998. In the fall of 1998, he began his teaching career at Benton Elementary School, outside of Waterville, Maine. He went on to teach a variety of grade levels from first grade through fifth grade. Later, his career branched out to other areas of education including time spent as a teaching principal at the Hebron Station School, becoming certified as a Reading Recovery Specialist, and more recently becoming one of the first graduates of the Department of Education’s Math Coach program out of UMaine Farmington. His last eight years of teaching have been spent as a Math Coach/Interventionist. Nathan was born to teach; he was an incredibly gifted educator who was passionate about helping children reach their full potential. He never failed to see the intrinsic dignity and worth of everyone who crossed his path, both students and colleagues alike.

His teaching gift spread beyond the public school system as he taught Sunday School at the South Paris Baptist Church and was affectionately known by many children as “Mr. Nate”.

On August 19, 2000, Nathan married his beloved wife Kate (Heffner) Merrill in Poland, Maine. He taught at Benton Elementary School and helped put Kate through nursing school at UMaine. After Kate’s graduation, they returned to their hometown of Oxford Hills, settling on Gothic Street in South Paris. In 2003, Nathan and Kate bought a fixer-upper house and labored together over several years to bring it to life. Nathan’s gorgeous flower gardens graced the property and during the summer, there were always fresh vegetables on hand.

In November of 2009, Nathan became a Daddy, when he and Kate’s first daughter, Idella was born. Becoming a father was a dream come true for Nathan and he was a shining star in this role. God went on to bless Nathan with three more children: Calvin, Anna and Charlie. His children adored him and he them. Family camping trips, teaching the kids to garden, maple syrup tapping, and projects around the house were just some of the many ways Nathan spent time with his babies. But Nathan’s greatest legacy to his family was his faith in Jesus. He knew his highest calling was to follow Jesus and teach his children to follow Jesus as well.

For the last nine years, Nathan and Kate have called Sumner home. Nathan lovingly labored around the property, adding many perennial gardens, several fruit trees, and ever expanding vegetable gardens. Nathan was an amazing cook and baker; no matter what he made, it was delicious! He made breakfast for the kids nearly every morning, the favorite being his famous cinnamon rolls.

Beyond teaching and family life, Nathan served in his church as a Sunday school teacher and nursery helper. He also loved making his church look beautiful by decorating the sanctuary at Christmas and Easter. He was a huge fan of Southern gospel music and old hymns; it was a common occurrence for him to be singing along to those gospel tunes playing on his phone while he was doing chores.

Nathan was truly one of a kind, a remarkably talented yet deeply humble man. He will be greatly missed by so many.

Nathan was predeceased by a child lost to miscarriage, his maternal grandparents: Reverend Philip C. and Mrs. Alberta Hughey and his paternal grandparents: Mr. Orrin and Mrs. Ruby Merrill.

He is survived by his beloved wife Kate and precious children: Idella, Calvin, Anna and Charles; his parents Erwin and Alberta Merrill; a brother Peter and sister-in-law Terri and niece and nephew Andrew and Lauren; father-in-law and mother-in-law Scott and Sally Heffner, sister-in-law Shannon Cook, her husband Peter and nieces Natalie and Charlotte and nephew Joseph; brother in law Sam Heffner, his wife Tara and nephew Findley and niece Jovie; brother-in-law Caleb Heffner and his fiancé Ivy; many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Nathan’s family would like to thank the members of the health care team involved in his care: Stephens Memorial Hospital’s ER, Medical Surgical and Special Care Units, PACE ambulance and LifeFlight, and also the Intensive Care Unit at Maine Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, anyone desiring to do so, may make a donation in Nathan’s name to Paris Elementary PTO, South Paris Baptist Church’s benevolence fund or to his children’s college savings accounts (Katherine Merrill c/o Norway Savings Bank, P.O. Box 347, Norway, Maine 04268; put Merrill children college fund in the memo).

A Memorial Service to honor Nathan’s most beautiful life will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 2 pm in the Mark Eastman Auditorium at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. To share memories and condolences with the family go to www.chandlerfunerals.com. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 45 Main Street South Paris.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” Psalm 116:15