Richard & Ilene Merriman

Dorothy Ilene Hayes Merriman, 83, and Richard Thomas Merriman, 88, of Greensburg, PA died Saturday, May 24, 2014, 18 hours apart. Ilene was born April 6, l931 in Myrtle Point, Oregon, the daughter of Harry and Hazel Barklow Hayes. Richard was born August 12, 1925 in Buhl, Idaho, the son of Frank R. and Bess Self Merriman. Dick and Ilene were married on August 5, l955 in Redmond, OR. Dick was an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), graduating from Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR and Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. Together the Merrimans served the First Christian Church in Redmond, OR; Little Flatrock Christian Church in New Salem, IN; Main Street Christian Church in Rushville, IN; Main Street Christian Church in Winchester, IN; Big Flatrock Christian Church in Rush County; Boone Grove Christian Church in Boone Grove, IN; and First Christian Church in Greensburg, PA. They were also active members at Tunnel Hill Christian Church in Georgetown, IN, where their daughter, Becky, serves as pastor. Dick was a WWII veteran, serving our nation in the US Navy. He was a Mason and active in many civic organizations. Ilene served on the Indiana and Pennsylvania Christian Women's Fellowship cabinets. Both Dick and Ilene were members of the Order of Eastern Star. Dick was the director of the Randolph County Choral Society in Winchester, as well as a member of the Westmoreland Choral Society in PA. In addition to their parents, infant son, David Grafton, and niece, Kathy Merriman Quisenberry, Ilene was predeceased by her brother, Harold Hayes, and Dick by his brother and sister, Edward and Nancy Merriman. They are survived by their four children, Richard Lee (Gail) Merriman of Indianapolis, IN; Rebecca Gibbons of Lanesville, IN; Amory Merriman of Greensburg, PA; and Sarah (Padraic) Merriman-Spencer of Trumbull, CT; their eight grandchildren: Natalie and Stephen Gibbons, Daniel and Andrew Simpson, Rogge (Rachel) and Jacob Merriman, and Bess and Emma Spencer; Ilene's brother Leland (Bill Wood) Hayes of Salem, OR; Dick's sister-in-law, Virginia Merriman of Pendleton, OR; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of their lives will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Main Street Christian Church, 615 N. Main St., Rushville, IN. Memorials may be sent to any of the churches Dick and Ilene served and loved. Additionally, a memorial fund has been established at Tunnel Hill Christian Church, 5105 Old Georgetown Rd., Georgetown, IN 47122, to be designated to the music ministry of the church.

Tributes

Richard & Ilene Merriman

May 24, 2014