Linda Merchant, 76, of Hermitage, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Sharon Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Merchant was born on March 2, 1948, in Warren, OH, and was a 1966 graduate of Sharon High School. She spent more than 30 years driving school bus for the Hermitage School District.

For the last 56 years, Linda has been an active member of the Salvation Army, Sharon, where she worshipped and volunteered in several capacities.

She loved socializing and playing cards, especially euchre. Above all, she looked forward to spending time with her family, and looked forward to babysitting her great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, William L.  Merchant, whom she married on October 11, 1966; two sons, Ronald Merchant (Tina), Sharon, and Randy Merchant, Clark, PA; three grandchildren, Jason Merchant (Alexis), Ronnie Merchant, Jr., and Madelyn Russell; and three great-grandchildren, Carter, Miles and Cooper Merchant. Also surviving are four sisters, Vickie Davidson, Hermitage, Robin Drummond (Terry), Myrtle Beach, SC, Carol Strawcutter, Hubbard, OH, and Bonnie Snyder (David), Sharon; two brothers, Joseph Simpson, Sharon, and William Simpson (Leslie), Austintown, OH; and a brother-in-law, Larry Byers, Sharon.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanette (Batchelder) Simpson; and three sisters, Beth Fitzgerald, Guyla Simpson, and Cindy Byers.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday (05/09/2024) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday (05/10/2024) in the funeral home.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Sharon.