Merton Leroy Canter, Jr.

Merton L. Canter, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Washington, D.C., in July 1934 to the late Merton L. Canter, Sr. and Mary Canter.

Merton married the love of his life, Mary Etta Canter, in July 1956, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned nearly seven decades. Together they built a life centered on family, friends, and farming.

Raised on Ivy Cliffs Farm in Mitchellville, Maryland, Merton developed a love of agriculture at an early age while farming with his father. Farming was more than his occupation; it was his way of life. He continued working alongside his family on the farm throughout his life. His dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to preserving the family farming tradition left a lasting legacy for future generations.

Merton was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was loved immensely by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Etta Canter; his children, Earle Canter (Nancy), Lynn Hansford (Doug), Billy Canter (Faye), Kenneth Canter (1964–2012), whose wife Tammy survives him, and Susan Canter (Tyler). He was preceded in death by his infant son, Leroy Canter.

He was the proud grandfather of Stephen, Stacey, Melissa, Jennifer, Billy Jr., Brittni, Andrew, Amanda, and Kenneth Jr., and the great-grandfather of 20 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought him immense joy and pride. Merton and Mary Etta were deeply involved in the lives of their grandchildren, who spent much of their childhood at their grandparents' home and on the farm. Those days were filled with laughter, lessons, and love, creating lifelong memories and a closeness that remains a treasured part of their family.

Merton also shared a special bond with Jacob Bjerknes, son of his niece, Kathleen Bjerknes, whose shared love of farming brought them especially close.

Merton will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering dedication to his family, and deep roots in the farming community. He was an avid fan of baseball and car racing and never missed an opportunity to enjoy either. He also had a tremendous sense of humor and was known as quite the cut-up, always ready with a joke, a story, or a playful remark that could make others laugh. He found happiness in hard work, time spent with family, and watching the generations that followed him grow and thrive. His wisdom, kindness, and steady presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the land he cared for, and the many lives he touched throughout his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held in July.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Merton's memory to the Parkinson's Foundation  or the Skin Cancer Foundation.