CHARLES WAYNE MERRIFIELD


Charles Wayne Merrifield, 83, of Richmond, MO, died at 11:50 p.m., Sunday, February 5, 2012, at the Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond.
Mr. Merrifield was born May 29, 1928 in Hardin, MO to Charles T. and Kathleen (Summers) Merrifield. He married Mary Julia Groce of Richmond on July 27, 1952; she survives, of the home.
Other survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Ann Merrifield of Columbia, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Dale Salyer of Odessa, MO; two brothers, Edwin Merrifield of Kansas City, MO and John H. Merrifield of Plymouth, MI. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are John Charles Riling, Benjamin Hammrah, Daniel John Merrifield and Sarah Ann Merrifield; and the great-grandchildren are Caleb Charles Riling and Cadyn Lewis Riling.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Andy Salyer.
He had lived his entire life in the Hardin and Richmond areas. He graduated from Hardin High School in 1946. He and his father were engaged in an extensive farming operation involving cattle, corn, soybeans and wheat. They had the first automated feed lot in this area. After retiring from farming he had a small trucking company. In recent years, he has been driving on a part time basis, delivering new trucks throughout the United States. He was a member of the Richmond United Methodist Church, serving on many committees, and a member of the Board of Trustees for many years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ray County Memorial Hospital for approximately 40 years. He took great pride in our county hospital, volunteering at the information desk on a regular basis. He was past master of the Hardin Masonic Lodge, a member of the Wakenda Masonic Lodge, receiving his 50 year pin in July 2001, a member of the Scottish Rite, Ararat Shrine and Richmond Shrine Club. He was President of the Ray County Farm Bureau for several years, and was Director of Human Resources for Flood Relief after the 1993 and 1995 floods in the Ray County area.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Richmond United Methodist Church, the Ray County Memorial Hospital Foundation or to P.A.S.S. in lieu of flowers.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 11, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Richmond, MO. Visitation will be Saturday, February 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church prior to the funeral service. Burial will be at Richmond Memory Gardens, Richmond, MO. Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO is in charge of the arrangements.