Charles "Papaw" Henry Merico, 87, of Fairmont, WV passed away on January 8, 2020, at Fairmont Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Grant Town, WV on June 10, 1932, to the late James and Lillian (Delligatti) Merico.  He was the youngest son of their 13 children.

Charlie was an outstanding basketball player for Fairview High School.  He was a member of the US Air Force and he worked at Eastern Coal, Federal #1 at Grant Town, WV.

Charlie loved fishing.  He enjoyed spending time wading in the river or on the bank of a stream casting for hours.  If he wasn't fishing, then he was talking about fishing.  Charlie loved to chat and could make a friend anywhere, especially on a bench at the mall, waiting for his wife, Juanita, to finish shopping!

He also loved watching sports, especially anything West Virginia University related.

On December 5, 1953, Charlie married the love of his life, Juanita Tennant.  Juanita & Charlie loved to spoil their 3 grandchildren. They also took numerous bus trips.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Juanita Tennant Merico, and his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Michele of Thurmont, MD.

He is also survived by his sister, Lois and her husband Raymond Joy, of Monongah, WV, and his brother Larry "LaLa" Merico and his wife Agnes of Grant Town, WV; his three grandchildren; Allyson (Merico) Forbes and her husband Andrew of Victor, NY, Matthew Merico and his wife Sarah of Falling Waters, WV, and Caitlin Merico of Potomac Falls, VA; special nephew Ronald Tennant and his wife Vivian of Barrackville, WV and special niece Penny Lee of Fairmont, WV, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by brothers Tony, Anthony, Jesse and Joseph Merico; and six sisters; Rose Merico Yerace, Clara Merico Beccaloni, Eva Merico Michael, Edith Merico Nowlen, Violet Merico McCafferty and Marie Merico Berke.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fairmont Regional Medical Center 3rd floor and ICU and Amedisys Hospice for their compassionate care of Charlie while he was hospitalized and also the staff at Fairmont Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave. Fairmont, WV, Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Bill Preston officiating.  Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Fairmont.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.