Dorothy Ilene Hayes Merriman (age 83), and Richard Thomas Merriman (age 88), of Greensburg, PA died Saturday, May 24, 2014 eighteen hours apart.
Ilene was born April 6, 1931 in Mrytle Point, Oregon the daughter of Harry and Hazel Barklow Hayes. Richard was born August 12, 1925 in Buhl, Idaho the son of Frank R. and Bess Self Merriman.
Dick was an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) graduating from Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR and Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. Dick and Ilene met in Redmond, Oregon, where Dick was pastor of the Redmond Christian Church. They were married on August 5, 1955. With Ilene by his side, Dick was a minister with Disciples of Christ Churches in New Salem, IN, Rushville, IN, Winchester, IN, Greensburg, PA, Big Flat Rock, IN, and Boone Grove, IN. Dick was a WWII Navy Veteran. Ilene served on the Indiana and Pennsylvania Christian Women's Fellowship cabinets. Both Dick and Ilene were members of the Order of Eastern Star. Dick served as past patron in Pennsylvania. He was also a mason. Dick was the director of the Randolph County Choral Society in Indiana. He was a member of the Westmoreland Choral Society and served on their Board of Directors.
In addition to their parents and infant son David Grafton, Ilene was predeceased by her brother Harold Hayes and Dick by his brother and sister Edward and Nancy Merriman. They are survived by their four children: Richard Lee (Gail) Merriman of Indianapolis, IN, Rebecca Gibbons, of Lanesville, IN, Amory Merriman of Greensburg, PA, and Sarah (Padraic) Merriman-Spencer of Trumbull, CT; their eight grandchildren: Rogge (Rachel) and Jacob Merriman, Natalie and Stephen Gibbons, Daniel and Andrew Simpson, and Bess and Emma Spencer; Ilene's brother Leland (Bill Wood) Hayes of Salem, OR and Dick's Sister-in-law Virginia Merriman of Pendleton, OR, and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of their lives will be held Friday, May 30, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church, Greensburg, PA with Dr. Renny Domske presiding. Another Celebration and graveside service will be held Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., Main Street Christian Church, Rushville, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to any of the churches Dick and Ilene served and loved, or to Promise Hospice, 121 N. Main St, Suite 310, Greensburg, PA 15601. Arrangements have been entrusted to the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, INC. 524 N. Main St. Greensburg. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com