Life story Dr. Merritt O. Alcorn, Jr. of Madison, Indiana passed away Saturday, June 16, 2007 at King's Daughters' Hospital. Born November 5, 1920 in Wynne, Arkansas, he was the son of Merritt O. and Maude Barton Alcorn. He resided in Arkansas during his maturation. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Chemistry in 1941. He accepted employment as a civilian employee ballistic expert and was assigned to the Proving Ground at Hope, Arkansas before being transferred to the Jefferson Proving Ground. On December 6, 1942 he married Martha Ellen Keelty at the First Christian Church in Madison. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. His service included command of 3 landing craft at Normandy, Omaha beach on June 6, 1944. He was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant in 1946. He was a member of the Navy Reserves from 1946 to 1950. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1950 and took his internship at the Indiana University of Medicine in 1951. In 1951 he moved to Madison and began a general practice of medicine. In 1960, he began a residency in pathology at the University of Louisville. In 1964, he established the 1st full time department of pathology at King's Daughters' Hospital. He also maintained a practice of pathology at Jackson County Hospital in Seymour, Indiana, Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and Madison State Hospital in Madison. He was a founding member of the first automated medical laboratory in Indiana and Kentucky. The laboratory (Physicians Automated Laboratory) modernized medical laboratory science in southern Indiana and Kentucky. After the laboratory was sold to American Biomedical of Dallas, Texas, he served as a vice president of American Biomedical. He was also employed by General Tire and Rubber as a consultant. He was part of a group of physicians who developed the first industrial medical screening program. His interest in the computerization of medical knowledge continued into his retirement years. He was part of several medical computer software companies and helped develop and market a laboratory management program in his retirement. In 1964, he was appointed to the Indiana Medical Licensing Board by Governor Welch. As president of the board he joined with seven other state presidents and drafted the Medical Licensing Act of 1974 which nationally standardized medical licensing testing. He served as president of this ad hoc committee. He was a member of the First Christian Church. He served as Chairman of the board for many years. He was active in all aspects of the church including Sunday school teaching and the church choir. He was active in the community. He served as co-chair of the school reorganization committee in the early 1960's. The committee helped create the existing school districts in Jefferson County. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was selected as person of the year in 1973. He participated in many chamber programs throughout his life. He was a member of Historic Madison and personally preserved the Maddox house and Drusilla home. In 1965, he formed the medical explorer scouts in Jefferson County. The medical explorer scouts learned about new areas of medical science. He used his contacts with the medical community to provide the scouts with challenging and interesting experiences. Many members of the scout group went on to professional careers. He was president of the Indiana State Pathologist Association. In 1977, he was elected as a fellow of the College of American Pathologists and in 1992, he was elected as emeritus fellow of the College of American Pathologists. In 1968, he served as president of the Indiana division of the American Cancer Society. In 1975, he was elected to an honorary life time membership of the division board of directors. He was a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and in 2000 received recognition from the association for 50 years of the practice of medicine. He was also a member of the Jefferson County Medical Association and served as the group's president from 1966 to 1974. In 1976 he formed a group of local business men for the purpose of creating a locally owned bank. The resulting Citizens National Bank later merged and became the current River Valley Financial Bank. He served as the first chairman of the board of Citizens National Bank. For many years, Doc and Martha resided on their farm on Ryker's Ridge where they raised their four children. He was a founder and president of the Ryker's Ridge Sewer District. He was a life long democrat and enjoyed a keen interest in politics. Twice he testified before congressional committees about rural health care. He published articles on the topic of rural health care and remained active in the recruitment of doctors to rural areas throughout his life. He had many interests throughout his life. He and Martha traveled extensively. Through the United States State Department in 1968, he organized a trip to Brazil for the exchange of information with Brazilian doctors. Dr. Childs and Dr. Hare along with their wives were able to make this trip which included visits to other South American countries. He and Martha also visited China on a similar exchange. Other trips included Australia and Europe. His other hobbies included flying, fishing, hunting, gardening, photography, cooking and storytelling. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, two daughters; Mary Ellen Caughran and Charlotte Daughhetee of Birmingham, Alabama; and two sons; Merritt K. Alcorn and Dr. George Alcorn of Madison and 17 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Alcorn and two sisters; Margaret Childers and Jewell McHugh. The Reverend Gregg Russell will conduct funeral services at 2:00 PM Wednesday June 20th at the First Christian Church, with burial to follow at Springdale Cemetery. Friends and family may gather for viewing from 4 to 8 PM Tuesday at the Lytle Funeral Chapel and 1 to 2 PM Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church or the King's Daughters' Hospital Foundation. Memorial Envelopes are available at the funeral home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merritt O. Alcorn Dr. Jr., please visit our floral store.