Edwin Merrill Worthington Jr.

Edwin Merrill Worthington Jr. 83, of Bargersville, IN passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis, IN.

He was born July 14, 1943 in Long Beach, California to Edwin Merrill Worthington Sr. and Ruth Eileen (Maxwell) Worthington.

Merrill served in the US Navy as a photographer's mate aboard the USS Hancock CVA-19 from 1963-1967. On January 11th of 1969, Merrill married Coleta S. Montgomery in San Jose, California and started a family. They soon left for Leesburg, Virginia where he worked as a photographer with Xerox Corporation until 1997. He then transitioned into freelance where he walked out of the darkroom and into the evolving landscape of digital media. His professional career continued until he and Coleta moved to Bargersville Indiana in July of 2020.

Merrill was passionate about southern gospel music, Turner Classic Movie Network, mama’s cooking, “another” book about the greatest WWII battles and selecting the appropriate tie to accompany his well pressed shirt. His dad’s love for fine arts set the table for his own appreciation that would ultimately lead to the creativity witnessed both in his work and his life.

Survivors include his wife Coleta Worthington of Bargersville, IN, his sons, Will Worthington (Rachel) of Joplin, MO and Mark Worthington (Mary) of Jeffersonton, VA. 3 grandchildren; Bailey Roach, Brooklyn Logsdon and Matthew Elliott, 7 great-grandchildren and a sister, Frances Weaver (Bob) of Wilsonville, OR.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sons Scott and Chris Worthington.

Pastor Tom McNerey will conduct a service on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 6PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN with military honors being conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/edwinworthingtonjr.com.

Visitation will take place on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 4:30 PM until service time at the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information: 317-738-0202.

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