The Life of Rick Merrell

May 13, 1954 - April 29, 2023

Richard Lind Merrell, known as "Rick," was born May 13, 1954 to Dagmar (Lindell) and Lew R. Merrell, Jr. when he joined his loving family with five kids and a couple of kitties on Isabella Street in Wilmette. On April 29, 2023, after a short battle with cancer, Rick peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus to be held eternally by his Lord and Savior. Rick was two weeks shy of turning 69 when the Lord mercifully called him Home.

On Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:00, Rick's ashes are being laid to rest in the Memorial Garden of Trinity Lutheran Church, 3637 Golf Road, Evanston, IL 60203 as part of a Memorial Service including lunch. All are invited and the service will also be livestreamed with a link.

Rick graduated in 1972 from New Trier Twp. High School, Winnetka, having been raised and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church on Wilmette Avenue. He joined Trinity Church along with his mother in December 1983, where they both were faithful in serving whatever ministry that needed their help. Rick nurtured his love of audio / video electronics and developed an outreach, recording sermons and services on cassette tapes for home-bound members.

Rick was hired as Custodian of the church and served on the church staff for over 27 years until his illness struck earlier this year. He was highly regarded as a faithful worker and sometimes as a bit of a genius in solving problems. During the same time, he was Custodian at the Wilmette Public Library for over 25 years. Rick loved community involvement and blessed those he served with his quiet encouragement, including keeping walks shoveled in the winter and beautiful in the summer. These were more than jobs to him.

Trains were another lifelong hobby of Rick's. He even invented a "Door Lock Assembly for Freight Vehicles" which was patented in 1989. Unfortunately, he didn't get to travel as much as he would have liked, mostly due to cats needing him at home, but he did lend a needed hand on a number of short-term mission trips to help construct Christian camps or churches in Mexico, Colombia, Spain and around the U.S.

The fifth of five children, Rick is survived by his sister Diane "Dyna" Merrell (Mrs. Terry) Martin (McKinney, TX) and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; sister Marlean Merrell (Mrs. Larry) Guy (Phoenix, AZ); and brothers, Pastor Charles "Chuck" Merrell (Grand Rapids, MN) and Lew R. Merrell, III "Randy" (Evanston, IL).

In lieu of flowers, Rick and the family gratefully suggest that donations be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church and designated for the "Memorial Garden in memory of Rick" to maintain its peaceful beauty for generations to come.