Lana D. Stryker age 81, of Chapel Hill, TN, formerly of Quebec City, Canada passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Spring Hill, TN. Lana was born August 7, 1945 to Melvin Harriet and Irene Lavoie Harriet. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Stryker, her brothers, Donald Harriet and Glen Harriet, and a niece Susan Harriet Gallello.

Lana was a caring individual. She was always calling and checking on her grandchildren and enjoyed watching them grow up. She loved seeing and spending time with them. Lana had a passion for writing cards and staying in touch with her family and classmates from Canada. Lana carried a life of love, strength, and hope. Her family will remember her for many generations to come.

Lana is survived by her children, Donna (Charles) Andrews and Dean (Angie) Kracke of Chapel Hill, TN; 4 grandchildren, Aaron Andrews, Amber Holley, Matthew Kracke, and Daniel Kracke; several great grandchildren; a sister, Brenda Cassivi of Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2 nieces, Erika Cassivi of Montreal, Quebec, Canada and Tina Harriet Pierik of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; one nephew, Jordan Cassivi of Montreal, Quebec, Canada also survive.

Per the request of Lana, there will be no services and she invites you to remember her for the person she was.

Services in care of Lawrence Funeral Home 203 S. Horton Pkwy Chapel Hill, TN. 37034. 931-364-2233 www.lawrencefuneral.net

Harry Earl Pond III, known to family and friends as Earl Pond, passed away on Sept 22, 2026 in Murfreesboro, TN at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife and three children. He was born in 1942 in Nashville, TN, and initially lived near Centennial Park. He would often talk of his fond memories of fishing at the lake in Centennial Park and playing in the unlocked Parthenon as a small child. When he was eight years old, he moved with his family to West Meade Nashville where he lived until adulthood. He was the son of the late Harry Earl Pond, Jr. and Elma Mae Brunner-Pond.

He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Sue Flatt Pond; his children, Harry Earl Pond IV, Major Jeffrey Pond, U.S. Army (Ret.), and Rebecca Pond, as well as four grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Brunner Jr, and his sister, Peggy Pond.

Earl graduated from Hillsboro High School in Nashville and earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University.  Following graduation, he began a distinguished engineering career with Union Carbide in Brownsville, Texas, where he worked from 1960s - 1970s, with a two-year leave of absence for military service during that time. He served in Vietnam and his military honors included the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal.

In the 1970s, Earl joined Ethyl Corporation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he worked until the early 1980s. He was given an opportunity to move his family back to Tennessee when Nissan broke ground in Smyrna in 1981. Being one of the first 400 employees, he worked on numerous construction phases.  While employed at Nissan he supported the United Way and was recognized as a Robertson Level member for 15 years.  He retired in 2005, concluding a successful 41-year engineering career during which he served as both a senior engineer and section manager.

Earl's years in Brownsville, Texas, during the 1960s and 1970s were a particularly joyful and adventurous time for him and his family. They embraced the natural beauty and freedom of the region, frequently camping with friends and traveling throughout Texas and Mexico. Their adventures included visits to the Sierra Madre Mountains, Big Bend, South Padre Island, and two trips to Mexico City. These experiences created lasting memories for Earl and his family.

A man of deep faith and unwavering commitment to his church, Earl was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro, where he served as an elder, Sunday school teacher, and chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee. Over the years, he devoted 20 years of service as an elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), having also been a member of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church during his years in Baton Rouge. His faith extended beyond the walls of the church through his participation in mission work, including a mission trip to Baltimore, Maryland, and he served on several pastor nominating committees.

Earl was especially passionate about helping others through his involvement in mission and community service. He traveled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and to Nicaragua, where he helped install water purification systems. Following retirement, he volunteered with Clean Water for the World, organizing and supervising the installation of two water purification systems in Nicaragua. He was also an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity, generously contributing his time and talents to help build homes for families in need.

Earl possessed a wide variety of interests and talents, and he pursued each with enthusiasm. An avid motorcycle rider, he was a member of the Honda Motorcycle Club of Brownsville during his years in Texas and later joined the Murfreesboro chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). He particularly enjoyed participating in Harley-Davidson fundraising rides and was especially supportive of the fundraiser benefiting the VA Fisher House on Compton Road.

A skilled marksman and outdoor enthusiast, Earl was a member of the Wartrace Regulators Cowboy Action Shooting Club, and the Priest Lake Pistol and Gun Club, where he served as president for two years.

After retirement Earl began to play duplicate bridge. He was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and earned Life Master designation in 2014. As a member of the Murfreesboro Duplicate Bridge Club, he served as scorekeeper, club manager, and club director. He enthusiastically shared his knowledge of the game. Teaching duplicate bridge for 13 years, at the St. Clair Senior Center and also instructed students through the continuing education program at St. Mark's.

Following retirement, Earl found great enjoyment in woodworking. He used his skills to create handmade pieces that he generously gave as gifts to family and friends. He was also an avid reader and collector of books, possessing a lifelong love of learning. Among his many Biblical readings, he completed both the Mishnah and the Talmud.

Known for his many skills, sharp wit, and brilliant mind, Earl was a man of remarkable ability and boundless curiosity. Yet, beyond his professional accomplishments and numerous interests, he will be remembered most for his loving presence in the lives of his family and friends. His legacy of faith, service, generosity, and love will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. 

His Memorial Service with military honors will be Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 12:00 noon at First Presbyterian Church, 210 North Spring street, Murfreesboro TN.  Visitation will immediately follow the service.  Donations may be made to the churches’ discretionary fund or the charity of your choice.

An online guestbook is available for the Pond family at www.woodfinchapel.com.

David Gary Merz, age 90 of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2026. A native of St. Louis, MO, he was the son of the late Henry J. Merz and Stella Politte Merz. Mr. Merz was also preceded in death by his first wife, Claudia Rohr Merz; son, David Merz, Jr.; brother, Norbert Merz; and sister, Norma Baumle.

Mr. Merz is survived by his wife, Patricia J. Merz; son, Phillip Merz and his wife Carrie; daughter, Laura Schmidt and her husband Michael; step-children, Edward Prosser and his wife Kathy, Timothy Prosser and his wife Betty, Christopher Prosser and his wife Valarie, Cindy Tresider and her husband Robert, and Patrick Prosser and his wife Stephanie; sisters, Noreen Boyer and Charlotte Deeken; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. The visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of the Celebration of Life at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

Mr. Merz served in the Army National Guard and was also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

An online guestbook for the Merz family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.

Woodfin Memorial Chapel. (615) 893-5151.

Anna Pearl Smith, age 91 of Murfreesboro died Monday, September 14, 2026. She
was a native of Borger, Texas and was preceded in death by her husband, Earl
William Smith, her parents, Richard Thomas Roberts, Jessie Helen Williams.
Mrs. Smith was of the Southern Baptist faith, was a devoted wife, mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother.
She survived by her children, Pamela Jackson, and Richard Ray Smith; sister, Sue
Miller; grandchildren, Lori (Toby) Rashford, Kristen Julsgard, Michael (Dani)
Sheldon, Samantha (Weylin) Berryman; 10 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-great-
grandchild.
Private graveside service will be held in Texas at a later date. Woodfin Memorial
Chapel is in charge of cremation arrangements. www.woodfinchapel.com