MOUND VALLEY — Jerry A. Merrick, 68, of Mound Valley died at 8:20 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at Freeman Health System in Joplin. He had been in his usual health before suffering a stroke two weeks ago.

He was born on Aug. 19, 1943, in Mound Valley to Elwyn and Eulalia (Hart) Merrick. He grew up and attended schools in Mound Valley. He graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1961.

Following his graduation from high school, he served in the National Guard. He worked for MKT Railroad before moving to Wichita, where he worked for Cessna for a short time.  He returned to Mound Valley and drove a dump truck. He then began his own business cutting hedge posts and firewood. Most recently, he operated his own wood pallet manufacturing business.

He enjoyed gardening, and in earlier years he hunted raccoons and rode horses. He also enjoyed his dogs.

He married Barbara Taylor. They later divorced.

He married Judy G. Winters. They later divorced, but remained close companions. She preceded him in death on Oct. 24, 2010. 

Survivors include a son, David Merrick and his wife, Melanie, of Independence; two daughters, Diana Yenni and her husband, L.J., of Raleigh, N.C., and Tammy Piland and her husband, Johnny, of Osage; 10 grandchildren, Olivia, Davis, Carson, Dylan, Katelyn, Abigail, Hannah, Elizabeth, Matthew and Brandon; a brother, Jim Merrick of Altamont; and a sister, Jolene Hesemann of Rogersville, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mound Valley Christian Church. Burial will be in Mound Valley Cemetery. The family received friends on Monday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.