Richard Lee Merrill

Richard Lee Merrill, 72 of Chatfield, died February 11 at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield. Richard was born March 18, 1944 to Anna (Southrada) and G.Dilbert Merrill in Cresco, Iowa. Richard attended Austin Jr. College and Faith Baptist Bible College after graduating from Spring Valley High School. Richard worked for Tuohy Furniture and Strongwell, located in Chatfield. He married Marilyn Burks on June 11, 1966 in Topeka, KS.

He was a long time member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Chatfield, where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and enjoyed preaching on occasion. After retirement in 2000, he and his wife raised vegetables, mushrooms, and honey, and sold the items at the Rochester Downtown Farmer's Market.

Richard is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marilyn, of Chatfield, MN; One son, Daniel (Shannon) Merrill of Spokane, WA; Four daughters, Becky Elfritz of Clarion, IA; Ruth (Pat) Odle of LaGrange, OH; Rachel (James) Earley of Wykoff, MN; Sarah (Jim) Langteau of Chaing Mai, Thailand; 19 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; sister, Deanna (Rodney) Comstock of Exello, MO.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold, and sister Elaine Radechel.

A memorial service for Richard will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 17, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Chatfield with pastors Mike Gittins and Randy Charlton. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 16, at the Calvary Baptist Church and also one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. A private internment will take place at the Orion Center Cemetery in rural Chatfield.