The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996                 TAG: 9604120550
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                         LENGTH: Short :   18 lines

MERLIN O. READ

Merlin O. Read, 85, died April 10, 1996, in Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

Mr. Read retired from the Navy. He also worked for Sears and Roebuck for 22 years.

He is survived by his wife, Indee L. Read; a daughter, Merri Read; a granddaughter, Jody Read, a grandson, Jason Cox; and two great grandchildren.

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB