BOMBER MEMORIAL

RICHARD LEONARD MERKER ~ Class of 1962
November 15, 1942 - September 30, 2022



Richard Leonard Merker died in Nampa, ID on September 30, 2022, at age 79. He was the son of Leonard G. Merker and Marian E. Merker. Richard was born in Carthage, MO on November 15, 1942, and grew up in Richland.

He graduated from Richland’s Columbia High School in 1962. He worked at Dietrich’s Food Market while attending high school and while attending Columbia Basin College.

Richard served two years in the Army and was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. After Army service, he attended Eastern Washington State College in Cheney. There he met his first wife, Claudia Epley, and they married December 20, 1969. They made their home in Spokane where Richard worked for Safeway.

In 1983 they moved back to Richland where Richard worked for Safeway and Battelle at Hanford. Richard had a strong work ethic and took pride in his work. Claudia passed away from illness in 1999. Richard married Jamelyn Beeson on November 8, 2003, and they resided in Pasco until he retired. They moved to Nampa, ID to be closer to family.

Richard was a loyal family member who took care of his elderly parents and both of his wives during their illnesses. He was generous to friends, and he faithfully served the Lord at church and in the Gideons.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his first wife and his uncle, John Eckman. He is survived by his wife, Jamelyn Merker; step-son and wife, Lance and Donna Beeson, and their four children: RJ, Jackson, Trey and Lily Beeson; step-daughter and husband, Michelle and Kermit Murray, and their two sons: Matthew and Nathan Murray; sister and husband, Phyllis ('65) and William Hill; niece and husband, Melissa and Austin Youmans, and their two children; aunt, Robin Eckman; and cousin and her husband, Sarah and Shaun Sargent, and their son.

On Friday, October 28, 2022, a memorial open house was held for Richard from 3 – 6 pm at Alsip and Persons Funeral Chapel; 404 10th Avenue South; Nampa, ID 83651.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, a graveside ceremony was held for Richard with military honors at Einan’s Sunset Gardens in Richland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Richard may be made to The Gideons International at Send the Word.

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Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).