St. Clair County Obits

DAVID CLYDE MERRIMAN

Kansas City Star
1 February 2007
Brother Clyde Merriman, 98, of Appleton City, Mo., passed away January 31, 2007. Services 2 p.m. Saturday, February 3, at Hill & Son Funeral home. Memorials to First Christian Church.

St. Clair County Courier
9 February 2007
Brother Clyde Merriman
David Clyde Merriman, son of Ralph Oliver and Lavina Pearl Park Merriman, was born Sept. 28, 1908 in Henry County. He departed this life Jan. 31, 2007, at Appleton City manor Nursing Home in Appleton City, at 98 years of age.
Clyde's early life ws shaped by his loving grandparents, parents, a brother, sisters, Sunday school teachers, preachers and evangelists. Many doors were opened and many circumstances shaped him for his entire life which was spent in ministry. Clyde lived on the family farm working with his parents and caring for them in their later lives until their passing. He accepted Christ at an early age, knowing even then that he wanted to share his Christian beliefs from the pulpit. He spent much time practicing his preaching on his tractor, in the field while working and in the woods to the birds, bees and whatever creatures were listening. His spare time was spent studying his Bible. He was a quiet, sensitive, pensive man, knowledgeable about his Bible and well versed in its scriptures. He chose not to marry but instead to serve the Lord and shepherd his family. Brother Clyde had a large close knit family of Christian friends whom he led to the Lord and cared for deeply.
Clyde attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill. for two years. He later served Bates, Henry and St. Clair counties where he was in the pulpit at Lowry City, Park Grove, Ohio, Osceola, Pleasant Gap, Appleton City and Deepwater Christian Churches. He had a hunger for what God had to offer and always felt compelled to share the love and commitment he had with others. He spent much time immersed in Bible study and had been given the gift of interpretation of those scriptures. Brother Merriman was a mentor to many who chose to share God's message. He was a "pastor's pastor" sharing and strengthening other ministers and messengers of the gospel. There are several to his credit whom he mentioned, Reverend Larry Wheeler, Reverend Wilbur Zink, Reverend Bob Fenwick, Dr. Paul Deal and Howard Hellwig, Ted Akers, Gene Barker, Arleigh Martin and Rodney Randall.
Preceding Clyde in death were his parents; a brother, Oliver "Buster" Merriman and a sister, Dora Icel Merriman.
Survivors include a sister, Georgia Williams, Clinton; five nephews, Ron Williams and Rick Williams, both of Clinton, Franis Merriman, Kansas City, Kenny Merriman, Chilhowee and Terry Merriman, Blue Springs; two nieces, Jeannie Bybee, Deepwater and Judy Sierks, Lincoln.
Services for Brother Merriman were Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Hill and Son Funeral Home, Appleton City, with Reverend Wilbur Zink, Reverend Larry Wheeler, Reverend Bob Fenwick and Reverend Tony Reynolds officiating.
Musical selections were "Are You Washed in the Blood" and "Blessed Assurance" with Linda Hargrave, organist and Tony Reynolds, vocalist.
Casketbearers were DeWane Rice, Kent Gilmore, Keith Gilmore, Len Gilmore, Bob Wafel and Danny Love.
Interment was in the Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, where Tony Reynolds sang "In The Garden".
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church.