The Rev. Mr. Merrill G. Hershberger 83 retired pastor died June 18 2006. Hershberger was pastor of First Christian Church Daytona Beach from 1976 to 1981. During his pastorate at First Christian Church he was among the founders of Halifax Urban Ministries and Daytona Habitat for Humanity. He led the movement to bring the Palmetto Hotel to its present status as Palmetto Place. During his ministry in Daytona Beach he led his church to resettle nearly thirty Vietnam refugees. Following the pastorate at First Christian Hershberger served three years as Chaplain and Apartment Manager for the Good Samaritan Center and two years as the Refugee Coordinator of the Florida Council of Churches. After his retirement he served as Interim Pastor of Ormond Beach Union Ormond Beach First Christian Bethany in Lakeland First Christian in Vandalia Illinois and Pfafftown Christian in Pfafftown North Carolina. Prior to moving to Daytona Beach he served churches in Illinois and Texas for thirty years. Mr. Hershberger was born in Marion Indiana but spent most of his school years in the south Chicago suburbs. He was a 1940 graduate of Thornton Township High School. He spent three years in the Army Air Corps during World War II serving as tail gunner then navigator. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He graduated from Eureka College in 1949 and Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University in 1952. He is survived by his wife Betty a daughter Kathryn and husband Dr. Larry Teter of Holly Hill a son Dr. Charles Hershberger and wife Marla of Greenfied Indiana son-in-law Rev. Robert Miner of Bonne Terre Missouri five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren a sister Iris Hohe of Elk Grove Village Illinois and a brother Eldon Hershberger of Orland Park Illinois. A daughter Christine Miner preceded him in death. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. June 22 at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond burial on June 23 at 1:30 p.m. at Daytona Memorial Park and a Memorial Service at First Christian Church of Daytona Beach at 11:00 a.m. on June 24. Memorial gifts may be given to First Christian Church and Hospice of the Palm Coast. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.