20 years ago (1987) Several hundred people sat in lawn chairs Thursday night to enjoy the Don Merritt Orchestra at the Gregory Park bandstand in Brainerd. 30 years ago (1977) A group of downtown businessmen is attempting to change the name...

...tie plant for Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 1980. He also worked as a Realtor and played with the Don Merritt Orchestra. Survivors include a brother, Donald Benton, Brainerd. A brother, Luverne Benton, and a sister, Shirley...