Earl Merritt Sprinkle, 83 of Nix Creek Rd, Marion passed away Saturday August 1, 2015. He was a native of Madison County and the son of the late Henry Merritt and Zora Edwards Sprinkle. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a step son, Forrest Pollock; sisters, Edith Sprinkle and Sadie Fox; brother, James Sprinkle and a step grandson, Preston Pollock. Mr. Sprinkle was an Army Veteran and was retired from St. Mary's Cement Co. in Detroit MI. He is survived by his wife Eva JoAnne Sprinkle; daughter, Debbie Lynn Sprinkle-Pirtle and husband Greg; sisters; Vera Edwards, Helen Hunter (Allan); grandchildren, Sharla and Katie Fisk; step grandchildren, Courtney, Hope, Blake and Kirk Cross, Brooke Camacho (Nick), Allison, Lisa and Steven Bowers; great grandchildren, Olivia Hamann and Eliza Camacho; several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 11:00am Tuesday, August 4, at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Marion, NC of which he was a member. Reverends Tom Walker, Jack Sprinkle, Anthony Fox and Brother Eddie Fox will officiate. Burial will be held at Old Bull Creek Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 8:00pm Monday, August 3, at Blue Ridge Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be sent to www.blueridgefuneralservice.org