Bobbie Merrick

Bobbie "Bob" Melton Merrick, age 80, entered into eternal life at 6:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Bob Merrick was born to Benjamin Emory and Virginia Ethel Melton Merrick on May 8, 1927. He grew up in the Anniston, Mo., area and graduated from Anniston High School in 1945. He entered the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1945, and was honorably discharged as a seaman first class on July 30, 1946. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.

Bob attended Southeast Missouri State College, where he was a valuable member of their basketball team. He also played semipro ball for the L.A. Dodgers organization in Illinois.

He married the former Ruth Charlene Warren (Cricket) on Oct. 12, 1946. They were married 60 years. Cricket passed away Jan. 3, 2007. Five children were born to this union, one son and four daughters: John W. Merrick (Jane) of Diehlstadt, Mo., Ret. Major Christy J. Merrick and Candace L. Merrick of Shawnee, Kan., Robin M. Clark (Byars) of Vienna. W.Va., and Camella Folsom (David) of Basehor, Kan.

He has five grandchildren: Robert Caldwell Merrick of Springfield, Adrianna Risney, Brittany Louise and Byars Benjamin "Ben" Clark, all of Vienna, W.Va., and Mallory Grace Folsom of Basehor, Kan. He also has two great-grandchildren, Connor Joseph and Brice Robert Merrick of Springfield.

Bob has one sister, Virginia M. Walinow of Kansas City. Another sister, Mary Lois, died at a very young age.

Bob and his family lived in rural Diehlstadt, where Bob was owner-operator of the Home Oil Co. He moved from this area to Jefferson City to accept a position as the director of the Motor Fuel Tax Division. He was also director of the Selective Service Department and director of Weights and Measures.

Bob and his family were active members of the First Baptist Church in Charleston, Mo., and later members of the First Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

Bob loved his family and his family loved him. He could always come up with the funniest sayings. He rarely had a cross word with anyone and was always someone fun to be around. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and had recently taken up golf and was good at it, also. He has many friends in this area, the Jefferson City area and the Shawnee area. "To know him is to love him."

Friends may call after 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Michael Brewer, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Charleston, will officiate.

The Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard will conduct military graveside rites at the IOOF Cemetery near Charleston. Interment will follow under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Robert "Rob" Merrick, Kenny Wells, Stephen Burke, Jake Warren, David Folsom and Ben Clark.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701, or the charity of the donor's choice.