Reese Merryman

Reese Miles Merryman, 93, of Montrose Health Center in Montrose, died at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the health center. Born Aug. 17, 1918, in Patterson, he was the son of Carl and Mildred Garmon Merryman. He married Amy Elaine Coll on July 7, 1940, in Perry. She died June 16, 1999. Mr. Merryman was raised in Guthrie, Madison and Dallas counties, where his family farmed. He was a 1935 graduate of Washington Township High School near Minburn. After graduation, he continued to help his father on the farm and also drove a school bus. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1939-1940, working at Springbrook State Park, and also worked at an apple orchard after his marriage. In March, 1943, Reese and Amy moved to the Calhoun farm southwest of Perry, where he was engaged in farming for the next 50 years. He also farmed for several years near Jefferson. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Perry and the Moose and Elks clubs. He and Amy enjoyed square dancing and, in later years, ballroom dancing. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Maxine Mesward, Pearl Coll and Doris Flack. Reese is survived by two sons, David (Catherine) Merryman of Leesburg, FL; and Carl (Barbara) Merryman of rural Farmington; two daughters, Joyce (Albert) Bingman of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Rose Merryman and husband Steve McPherson of Los Altos, CA; one brother, Rex (Pat) Merryman of Panama City Beach, FL; and one sister, Margaret Crowley of Kissimmee, FL. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jeffrey (Debra) Merryman of Apex, NC; Lisa (Randal) West of Midlothian, VA; Renee (Bobby) Wilmath of Marietta, GA: Kristin (Craig) Carpenter of Atlanta, GA: Derek (Meaghan) Bingman of Altamonte Springs, FL; Amanda McPherson of San Francisco, CA; Melissa (Brian) Carper of Burlington, IA; Jill Nieto of Cameron, NC; Timothy (Holly) Merryman of Burlington, IA; Joy (J.D.) Lyon of rural Farmington, IA; and Joseph (Danielle) Merryman of Washington, D.C. Reese is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Keith Merryman; Taylor Olenik, Brandon and Olivia West; Ciara, Ewan and Neve Wilmath; Cade Carpenter; Kenley and Ashlyn Bingman; Brendan, Forrest and Chandler Carper; Lindsey and Andres Nieto; Caleb and Abigail Merryman; Cody, Annie and Rafe Lyon; and Madison, Hannah and Isabella Merryman. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. The funeral for Mr. Merryman was Jan. 21 at the First Christian Church in Perry, with the Rev. Dan Deatrick of First Baptist Church in Wayland, MO officiating. Music was provided by pianist Elta Summerson and the congregational hymn was "And Can It Be?" Soloist Melissa Carper sang "Does Jesus Care?" and her accompanist was Barbara Merryman. The casket bearers were Renee Wilmath, Derek Bingman, Tim Merryman, Jill Nieto, Brian Carper and J.D.Lyon. The honorary bearers were Jeffrey Merryman, Lisa West, Kristin Carpenter, Amanda McPherson, Melissa Carper, Joy Lyon and Joseph Merryman. The ushers were Don Thomas, davd MC Dowell and Darrell Bever. Burial was in Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. Hastings Funeral Home in Perry was in charge of the arrangements. www.hastingsfh.com