Irma Maxine Merrick
Irma Maxine Merrick
Irma Maxine Merrick
Irma Maxine Merrick, age 87, of Maryville, Missouri, entered into peace Sunday, May 17, 2015. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Maryville, Missouri. Visitation with the family will be held 1 hour prior to service time on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to The Northwest Foundation/Horace Mann P.E. department or The First Baptist Church of Maryville. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.
Irma was born on April 13, 1928 to John and Inez Gunter Jensen in Clyde, Missouri. She married Joseph Wilson Merrick in 1950.
She graduated from Stanberry High School and earned her undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Northwest Missouri State University. Later she earned her Master’s in Physical Education from Northwest and her Specialist in Motor Development from the University of Missouri. Irma taught at Eugene Field Elementary and Horace Mann Laboratory School on the campus of NWMSU where she also taught college classes. After retiring from teaching she went to work for Aramark as a cashier for many years where she enjoyed staying connected with the students and faculty.
Irma was a member of the First Baptist Church where she taught her Sunday School class for many years and participated in the choir. She was the faculty sponsor for Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority at NWMSU. She enjoyed all sports especially loved to play golf, and loved supporting the Bearcats and Spoofhounds.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Kami Merrick Herrman, and sisters Ila Klein, and Metta Guess.
She is survived by son Mike (Judy), daughter Patty (John) Van Cleave; grandchildren Clint (Jenny) Merrick, Andrea (Richie) Marsh, and Matt (Sarah) Van Cleave; great-grandchildren Mason and Brent Herrman, Caden, McKenna, Peyton, and Halle Merrick, Connor and Carson Marsh, and Max and Madeline Van Cleave; along with many nieces and nephews.
