Died 7/1/1973

From the Madison Courier

Merritt Alan Jacobs, 18, route six, was found dead at midnight in the mobile home he shared with Richard Pelsor.

Jacobs died of a single wound to the head from a 20-gauge shotgun. Deputy Coroner Dr. Jackson Modisett has not ruled on whether the death was accidental or suicide.

According to Lt. Russell Davis of the Jefferson County Police, Jacobs was alone when he died and time of death was between 11:30pm and midnight.

A lifelong resident of Jefferson County, Jacobs had attended Lydia Middleton and Madison High Schools and was a 1973 graduate of Madison Consolidated High School.

He was employed at the Stites Construction Co., and was a member of the Wirt Baptist Church.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Gross, route six; two brothers: Joseph, Lakeland, Fla.; and Douglas, with the US Army in Germany; four sisters, Mrs. Shirley Secor, Orlando, FL; Mrs. Brenda Steward and Mrs. Kathleen Stites, Madison, and Miss Diana Jacobs, Louisville and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 2pm Wednesday in the Lancaster Baptist church, with burial in the Moffett Cemetery.