John Merrell

John H. Merrell, 83, Independence, MO passed away Dec. 20, 2012. Services will be at 10 am, Monday, Dec. 24 at New Hope Baptist Church, 18000 E. Lexington. Independence, MO 64058; interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery. Visitation will begin before the service at 9 am. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to New Hope Baptist Church. John was born June 1, 1929 in Waynesville, MO. He worked at the Ford Claycomo plant for thirty years before retiring in 1992. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of UAW #249. He was a longtime member of New Hope Baptist Church and drove for the bus Ministry for twenty-one years. He read the Bible 156 times. John is survived by his wife of sixty-two years Leta Merrell, of the home; daughters Debra Kirkendale; Theresa Willard and husband Kenny; Donna Hawkins; Carol Merrell, all of Independence, MO; Dianna Jones and husband Danny, Richmond, MO; son John H. Merrell, Jr. and husband Bob Williams, Kansas City, MO; sisters Margaret Stacey, Waynesville, MO; Lorene Cheek and husband George, Cochran, GA; twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren.