09/04/2026
Dorothy Louise Merrick, 95, of Wabash, passed away peacefully at 3:35 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at the Waters of Wabash East. She was born on July 23, 1931, in Wabash, to J. Howard and Bernice (Kamp) Hetzler.
Dorothy was a 1949 graduate of Wabash High School, and continued her education at Hanover College. On May 6, 1955, she married Richard E. Merrick at Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, in Wabash. They shared 67 years of marriage before his passing on Jan. 4, 2023.
Dorothy worked as a book keeper at Northfield High School from 1966-1976, and then worked for Beacon Credit Union from 1976-1993, and later worked part time at the Wabash Courthouse Treasurers Office. She was a lifelong member of Bachelor Creek Church of Christ and her faith was an important, ever constant part of her life. Dorothy had a tremendous passion and talent for music- she was in the Wabash County Music Chorus, the Wabash Musicale, and even sang in a trio on the radio in her younger years. She was a member of the Womans Clubhouse, and the Wabash Women's Republican Club. Dorothy enjoyed sports, cheering for the Indiana Pacers and IU Basketball, but nothing mattered more to her than her grandchildren and supporting their sporting activities.
She is survived by her two children, Rod (Robin) Merrick and Kelly (Greg) Schenkel, both of Wabash; five grandchildren, Casey (Tyler) Dyson, Kyle (Heidi) Merrick, and Joshua (Kaylee) Merrick, all of Wabash, Brianne (Darrin) Haupert of Cutler, and Adam (Michelle) Schenkel of Fishers, and 12 great grandchildren, Maguire and Marshall Dyson, Kinley and Kendall Merrick, and Jordan and Jesse Merrick, all of Wabash, Isaiah, Addie, and Hannah Haupert of Cutler, and Hayley, Aiden, and Hudson Schenkel of Fishers.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother, William Hetzler, two sisters, Elizabeth Vrooman and Jean Waymire, and grandson, Aaron Merrick.
Funeral services will be 12 noon, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Josh Merrick officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash.
Friends may call 9 a.m.- noon, Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Bachelor Creek Church of Christ or the Womans Clubhouse.
The memorial guest book for Dorothy may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.