In Memory
Gale D. Merrick
July 30, 1927 - Oct. 18, 2010
ELKHART - Gale D. Merrick, 83, of Elkhart, IN, died at 6:53 a.m. Monday, October 18, 2010, in Hospice House, Elkhart. Mr. Merrick was a retired pharmacist and owner of the Merrick Pharmacies in South Bend and North Liberty for 39 years. He also retired twice from K-Mart Pharmacy in Niles, MI. His "fun job" was a vehicle locator (driver) for Enterprise Rent-A-Car Remarketing Division in Mishawaka from 2001 to 2006.
He was born July 30, 1927, in South Bend, and was the son of Norman W. "Joe" Merrick Sr. and Esther "Daisy" Duncan Merrick. His brother, Norman W. Merrick Jr., preceded him in death in 1987.
He graduated from Riley High School in 1944 and received his B.S. degree in Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1950. He was a United States Army veteran of World War II and the Korea War. In 1950 he married Betty Louise Sheneman of North Liberty, who preceded him in death on January 29, 1989. They had three children, Craig (Cris) Merrick of South Bend, IN, Michael (Sue) Merrick of Normal, IL, and Nancy Merrick of Mishawaka, IN, who survive him. On December 29, 1989, he married Janet (Lewis) Bailey, and her four children, Gayle (Bill) Becker of Granger, Karen (John) Kuklinski of Carmel, IN, Jill (Rick) Estes of Elkhart, IN, and Brad (Toni) Martin of Granger, IN, who survive him. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 8 1/2 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Merrick was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in South Bend for 55 years, and had been a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Elkhart since 1997. He sang in both church choirs. He was a former member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, past president of the Elkhart Breakfast Club, a member of SCORE, a lifetime member of Purdue Alumni Association and a member of the Purdue Club. He was also a Purdue football season ticket holder for 59 years. He volunteered for Church Community Services and delivered meals for the Salvation Army as well as participated on medical missions to Mexico and Ecuador. From the age of 21, he donated 182 pints of blood during his lifetime. A favorite activity since 1992 was playing slow-pitch softball in the Battell Senior Softball League.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial contributions be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 431 S. Third Street, Elkhart, IN 46516; or to Elkhart Hospice House, 22579 Old U.S. 20 E., Elkhart, IN 46516. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 22, 2010, in the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 431 S. Third St., Elkhart, IN. Private graveside services will take place at Westlawn Cemetery, North Liberty, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN. Online condolences may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published by South Bend Tribune on Oct. 20, 2010.
07/15/2023 EJS
|