Forest Eugene Meritt

Forest Eugene Meritt, 76, Nevada, Mo., passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada. Eugene was born Dec. 16, 1937, in Nevada, to Forest E. Meritt and Thelma V. Cooper.

Eugene grew up in this area and graduated from Nevada High School in 1956. He worked throughout his life on the family farm raising hogs and cattle and doing general farm chores. With the exception of two years when the family moved to California, Eugene lived his entire life in Vernon County.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Nevada, placing his membership there in 1950. He served for several years as Church secretary. He had a keen mind for numbers and dates, and always kept close watch on weather readings concerning temperatures and rain totals. He did not care to watch TV, but made sure that his mother had access to one her entire life.

Survivors include cousins, Shelia McEwan, Beverly Freitag, Rhonda McGrath, Patty Kirkendall, Tracy Ellifrits and Mike Jones and other extended family members. Of special mention are his caretakers, Barbara Brown, who had been with Eugene for seven years and had always been more than just a caregiver -- she was a friend, confidant, and all around best friend to him; also Virginia Frazier, Jeanette Bailey, and many, many friends that he cared deeply about. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Ferry Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Platt officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call after 2 p.m., Tuesday, and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church, Nevada, in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.