MERLINO ELEANOR LINDA (FRANKE) BATTENFIELD Age 90, the widow of Vincent Merlino, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2014, while under the compassionate care of Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople. Born November 5, 1923, in Millvale, PA, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Theresa (Fink) Franke. Eleanor was an executive secretary in the finance department for the North Allegheny School District. She was the former president of her garden club and former president of her homeowner's association in North Carolina. She kept an active life playing Bridge, taking painting classes, gardening, and sometimes dancing. Family and friends will lovingly remember her laugh, the way she would burst into song, and her overall zest for life. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her four children, Jackie Battenfield and her husband, David Headley, William Battenfield and his wife, Frances, Reah Janise Kauffman and her husband, Hadan, and Eric Battenfield and his wife, Shelly; her two brothers, Herman Franke and his wife, Sandra, and Raymond Franke and his wife, Delora; and her four grandchildren, Drew Headley and his wife, Julie Whitehead, Ian Headley and Matthew and Joshua Battenfield. A Memorial Service will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2014, at the BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 324 E. Grandview Avenue, Zelienople with Reah Janise and Hadan Kauffman, co-officiating. In lieu of flowers, Eleanor's family kindly suggests memorial contributions in her honor to the Passavant Benevolent Fund/LAS Foundation, 401 S. Main Street, Zelienople, PA 16063. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Eleanor's family at: www.boylanfuneralhome.com Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb