Rosemary Merrill

Rosemary Alice Merrill of Potosi, Missouri, was born on June 29, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of the late Darryl Dawson Whitworth and the late Alice Joyce Hughes. On October 4, 1952 Rosemary was united in marriage to Lynn Merrill and they shared nearly sixty-five years together.

Rosemary went to her heavenly home on Monday, October 1, 2018 having reached the age of eighty-five.

Survivors include her three children: Darryl (Shelia) Merrill, Jeanie (Bob) Merrill-Doss, and Tammy (Scott) Skaggs; six grandchildren: Janet (Dennis) Portell, Amy Charboneau, Jennifer (Kris) Tucker, Krista (Travis) Edwards, Koty Lynn Merrill, and Tyler (Breanna) Griffin; nine great grandchildren: Devin, Carly, Garrett, Emily, Alyson, Jayden, Avery, Jonathan, and Arlis; two sisters: Delores Tony and Vera Propst; also surviving are nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her father, Darryl Whitworth; mother, Alice Blankenship; step-father, Ansel Blankenship; son, Brian Merrill; two sisters: Norma Jean Price and Melba Shaw; and one brother, Earl Whitworth; special niece, Brenda Sue (Price) Hoskings.

Rosemary loved doing for others, especially her family. She devoted much of her life’s work to Color Bow Preschool, working for the Washington County Handicapped Center, and as a teacher’s aide. She had many talents: played the piano, wrote music and lyrics to several songs, had a sweet singing voice, was an accomplished artist, writer, and loved working with quilt blocks and sewing. She was a wonderful hostess for family events, loved cooking and canning, enjoyed camping at Red Bluff, and working in various capacities with her church. In later years, she loved to read, wrote poetry, and looked forward to each and every moment that her family was with her.

The family received friends on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 4:30-9:00 p.m. at the DeClue Funeral Home, Potosi. Visitation resumed on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Irondale First Baptist Church from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Irondale First Baptist Church, 107 West Cherry Street, Irondale, Missouri 63648. Elder Leonard Compton officiated. A beautiful eulogy was given by Jeanie Merrill-Doss and Scripture by Neila (Merrill) Crane.

Interment and final prayers will be held at Bismarck Masonic Cemetery. Honoring Rosemary by serving as pallbearers were Tyler Griffin, Kevin Penberthy, Travis Edwards, Kris Tucker, Matthew Scott Skaggs, and Devin Savage. Following the committal service, family and friends returned to the Irondale First Baptist Life Center for a luncheon. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Funeral Home.