Beverly A Merchant

October 31, 1931 - December 20, 2018

Beverly A. Merchant, 87, of Markle, passed away on Thursday morning, December 20, 2018, at Christian Care Retirement Community in Bluffton. Bev was born on October 31, 1931 in Denver, Colorado to Deane & Lena (Rutenberg) McClenny. She was the salutatorian of her graduating class at Union High School in Wells County in 1949. Bev worked at Lincoln Life Company, American Hoist, Ellison Bakery and as a bookkeeper for Rutenberg-Surge for many years. She was a 30+ member of Hope Missionary Church in Bluffton and volunteered at Markle Health Care. On December 29, 1950 at the EUB Church in Zanesville, Beverly and Ronald P. Merchant were married. Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Ron of Bluffton and their two children; David P. (Marquita) Merchant of Markle and Sharon A. (David) Scheiber of Churubusco, Indiana. She was a loving Grandma to five grandchildren; Benjamin (Amber) Merchant, Sarah (Paul) Ziegler, Randy (Konny) Merchant, Justin (Priscila) Scheiber and Theresa (Justin) Brown, along with 9 great-grandchildren; Avery, Atticus and Atlas Merchant, Chloe Ziegler, Paige & Mason Merchant and Eden, Naomi and Corah Brown. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Sunday (Dec. 23rd) at Hope Missionary Church in Bluffton with Pastor Gary Aupperle officiating. Burial will follow at Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville. Memorials may be made in Bev’s memory to Samaritan’s Purse, through the funeral home. Calling hours will be held from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Saturday at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton and for one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.