Veryl B. Merrill

Veryl Benton Merrill, 83, McCook Lake died peacefully Thursday, May 8, 2014, at a hospital in Terre Haute, Ind., where he was visiting his eldest daughter and her family.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 19, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jefferson, S.D., with the Rev. David Roehrich officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 18, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Berkemier Chapel, Christy Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City and Fitzpatrick Funeral Home in West Terre Haute, Ind. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.christysmith.com at the online guestbook.
Veryl "Dick" Merrill, was born in Jefferson, on March 1, 1931, the son of Charles and Zena (Benton) Merrill. He attended Jefferson High School.
On June 1, 1950, he married Charlene A. Chicoine at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jefferson. The couple lived at McCook Lake and resided there for more than 50 years. He spent most of his career as an office/parts manager for Sioux City Truck Sales and H&I Grain Co./Siouxland Mack Sales & Service until he retired in 2010.
He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where he was an usher and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Dick enjoyed playing softball in his younger days and fondly recalled his pitching success. He loved to watch sports, especially Nebraska Cornhusker football, and enjoyed relaxing bike rides and took great pride in working on the wonderful flower garden that he created with his wife before her passing. But what he loved most was spending time with his beautiful wife, children and grandchildren and reminiscing about those memories. Dick loved to carry on a conversation with anyone and his face would simply light up upon seeing friends in passing. His strong faith and positive outlook on life, particularly during health challenges in recent years, will always be an inspiration to his family.
He is survived by his six children, Verylene (Harry) Burris of West Terre Haute, Vicki (Eric) Eberhart of Gilbert, Ariz., David (Mary) Merrill of Fairfax, Va., Paul Merrill (Arlene Desiderio) of West Palm Beach, Fla., Mark (Melissa) Merrill of Groton, Conn., and Stephanie (Christopher) Fincke of San Antonio, Texas; 12 grandchildren, Merrilee (Christopher) Laesch, Brad and Doug Burris, Michael (Gabi) Eberhart, Elke and Emma Eberhart, Charlotte Merrill, Hailey Merrill, Alexa, Caden, Wyatt and Emme Fincke; one great-grandchild, Colden Laesch; and one brother, Marvin Merrill.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one grandson, Ian Fincke; and one brother, Kenneth Merrill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s memory to Trinity Heights in Sioux City, 2511 33rd Street, Sioux City, IA 51108 (reference Veryl "Dick" Merrill Memorial Fund on donation).