VERNON, Ala. — Daniel “Wayne” Merchant Sr., 80, died Aug. 28, 2025, in Columbus. 

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, at Otts Funeral Home with military honors and Paul Barham officiating. Burial followed at Wofford Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Otts Funeral Home of Sulligent, Alabama, was in charge of arrangements. 

Mr. Merchant was born Dec. 3, 1944, in Lamar County, Alabama, to the late Bradford Merchant and Ruby Gray O’Mary Merchant. He was a graduate of Sulligent High School. 

In addition to he parents, he was preceded in death by step-daughter, Jamie Bonner; brothers, Sammy Merchant and David Merchant; sisters, Lovie Ann Compton, Sue Stanford, Tootsie Corbitt and Tommy Lee Foster; and one step-grandchild. 

He is survived by his sons, Gabriel Merchant  and Wayne Merchant, both of Columbus; daughter, April Bareis of Dallas, Texas; sister, Patsy McGee of Millport, Alabama; five grandchildren; one step-grandchild; and one step-great-grandchild. 

Pallbearers were Guage Reeves, Kelvin Bryant, Tracey Daw and Jason Rose.