C. Merrill Hough

Charles Merrill Hough, 82, died peacefully surrounded by family August 20 in Corrales. He was born October 31, l934, in Columbus, Ohio, to Eleanor Sloan Hough and John Newbold Hough.

Merrill earned his bachelor's degree at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.  He received his master's degree from the University of Colorado, and did doctoral work at the University of
Wisconsin, Madison.   Merrill moved from Madison in 1994 and spent the
last 23 years in Corrales.

On June 13, 1957, he married Ardelle Miriam Juntunen and they shared over 60 years together.  Merrill taught as a college professor at several schools and also sold textbooks for 25 years.  He was a patient and gracious gentleman.  Merrill had a passion for history, books, meeting people, humor, social justice, and travel.  He and Ardelle paddled a dory for 17 days down the Grand Canyon with their close friends, Marilyn and David Robson.

Merrill conducted tours through Casa San Ysidro museum in Corrales for almost twenty years as a docent there.  He enjoyed many nights with his friends, the "Cell Mates," at the Cell Theatre.

Often Merrill spent summer evenings watching the sun setting over Lake Duborne at the family cabin in Blind River, Ontario, Canada. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and foster father.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ardelle J. Hough of Corrales; his daughters Elizabeth Sloan Hough of West Sand Lake, New York and Jessica Miriam Hough of Corrales; his foster daughter Julie Kaufman; his grandson Christopher Merrill Hough Deane and son-in-law Gordon Ethan Deane, both of West Sand Lake; daughter-in-law Mollie Sue Ferguson; and his brother Jonathan Sloan Hough and his sister-in-law April Haupt Hough, both of Boulder.

A gathering for Merrill will be scheduled at a future date.

Mr. Hough's care has been entrusted to:
Daniels Family Funeral Services
Southern Chapel
2400 Southern Blvd
Rio Rancho, NM 87124