Merton C. Thompson, age 71 of Rte 12E Three Mile Bay passed away at his home Saturday morning. He was born February 11, 1935 in Dexter, the son of William and Bessie Woodard Thompson. He attended school in Sackets Harbor and received his diploma while serving with the Air Force from 1954-1958 during the Korean War. He also served in the reserves until 1962. He married Margaret M. Sawyer on December 17, 1955 at the Rutland Congregational Church by the Rev. John Wetzle. He was a farmer in Three Mile Bay where the couple has lived for 42 years. He retired from farming in 1993. He was also a member of the Teamsters where he drove truck for various road construction crews. He had been currently working at Sam's Club in Watertown until he was forced to quit due to ill health. He was a member of Teamster Local 687, he was a member of Chaumont Lodge #172 Free and Accepted Masons where he received the Dedicated Service Award in 2004. He was a past member of Scottish Rite Masons and Shiners; He was a member of Lyme Lions Club and Sackets Harbor Odd Fellows. He was also an active member of Jefferson County Republican Committee. He enjoyed gardening and antiques; but mostly enjoyed his wife and family. He is survived by his wife Margaret and the following seven children- LuAnn Cross and her husband Chip of Union Springs/Potsdam, Kathy Dyer of Three Mile Bay, John Thompson and his companion Tanya Vaadi of Three Mile Bay, Mark Thompson and his wife Sue of Chaumont, Kevin Thompson and his wife Vicki of Brownville, Christine Rickett and her husband Scott of Three Mile Bay, Michelle Sprague and her husband Rob of Chaumont. He has sixteen grandchildren. Also he is survived by a brother Cecil Thompson of Limerick and sisters Wilma Strickland of Watertown, Beverly West of Three Mile Bay and Linda Thompson of Sackets Harbor. He has several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Gerald, Robert and Garth Thompson and sisters Thelma Mayne, Betty Munk and Marjorie Mellon. Funeral services will be Wednesday 9:00 am at the Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter with Rev. Dave Larkin, pastor of New Testament Fellowship Church of Watertown officiating. Burial will be in Sackets Harbor Military Cemetery with military honors. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Chaumont Lodge #172 will hold Masonic services at 7:30 PM Tuesday. Donations may be made to Lyme Central School Merton C. Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund.