Microsoft Word Hangs With Excel Launch Code

Consider this procedure to execute a MS Word mailmerge from within Excel:

Code:
Option Explicit
Dim objword As Object
Dim odoc As Object
Dim odoc2 As Object
Dim wdsendtonewdocument As Object
Dim mypath As String

Sub merge()

[Code] ........

The application hangs on the line in red. The file name (worksheets("Frontpage").Range("B15")) exists. It hangs with periodic dialogues "Microsoft Office is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action."

I end up having to go into task manager to close the word application before I can regain Excel control again.