Mercry S. "Merc" Ward

FUNERAL HOME

Alsip & Person's Funeral Chapel

404 Tenth Avenue South

Nampa, Idaho

Mercry Ward Obituary

After 49 years of courageously living with severe Cerebral Palsy, Mercry ÒMercÓ S. Ward went to Heaven on Thursday, July 20, 2006 and took his first run into the arms of Jesus! Merc gave his heart to Jesus as a young boy in Sunday School. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2006 at the Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, 601 16th Ave. So. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell. Friends may call at the Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. So in Nampa on Tuesday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. The family will greet loved ones and friends at the chapel on Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Friends may send memories and condolences to the family at www.alsipfuneralchapel.com . Merc was born the second child of Verne and Viola Ward on Jan. 31, 1957 in Missoula, Mont. His parents were advised to commit him to an institution. But through the grace of God and Merc´s Òbring it on spirit,Ó his parents believed that his life was to be lived with his family. Merc embraced life and attempted everything his siblings did and more. He went to grade school at the Elks in Boise. He attended West Jr. High and completed high school and went on to university studies at NNU and BSU. He was a cadet in ROTC, active in Karate and earned several belts. He fulfilled a lifelong dream of graduating from Boise Citizen Police Academy on Nov. 12, 2003. Now free from his physical limitations the rest of his dreams will be realized in Heaven. Merc attended the Independent Living Center in Moscow, Idaho to develop the skills needed to live alone, which he did for 20 years until he became a quadriplegic after spinal surgery. Then he moved to Hoeger House at Boise Samaritan Village, where he lived for the past nine years. He passed his driver´s training test in his golf cart which he drove around Nampa for 12 years (now you know who that crazy guy was.) Merc is the cherished son of Verne and Viola Ward, Cascade and formerly of Nampa; his brothers and their spouses, Verne and Natalie, Singapore and their children; Marcus and Sarah (Ward) LeBaron and their son, Levi; their son, Levi, Verne IV, Gabe and Mike; Andy and Carla, Nampa and their children, Hans and Marcie (Ward) Ellis, Matt and Alicia Ward, and Mitchell; and Tim and Barb, Post Falls and their children, Stephen, Alex and Casey; his sisters, Tracy and Ron Herzog and their children, Cody Murray and Cardale; Molly and Barry Beech and their children, Zach, Louie, Holly and Ronny, all of Nampa; a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and his beloved cat, Smokey. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sam and Lydia (Wagner) Roehl and Verne and Tracy (Rolando) Ward and his precious little niece, Makalie Jane Herzog. Merc and his family have always been grateful for the care and love given to him by his ÒfamilyÓ at Hoeger House. Because of the incredible love and care Merc received from his nurses, CNA´s, volunteers, and entire staff the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Boise Samaritan Village, 3115 Sycamore Drive, Boise, Idaho 83703 for the new building of the Hoeger House. If you want to, please do send some chocolate to those wonderful people at Hoeger House (don´t tell them we said anything.)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Statesman on Jul. 25, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Mercry Ward

8 Entries

Wendy Lemieux

July 29, 2006

Dear Ola and Louie, Verne, Natalie, Andy, Carla, Tim, Barb, Tracy, Ron, Molly and Barry as well as all you nieces and nephews and us cousins, Aunts, Uncles - and friends, - Boy, Merc is a much loved man is he not? As we've all grown older and haven't had the opportunities to get together like we use to when we were kids - sometimes we forget some of the great times . . Jenny - you did good, I could hear Merc laughing even now. I think it's what he did best! He always had something up his sleeve. I remember one time in particular he pulled something over on Precious Irene, (he and Scott were up to no good), but Irene being the good egg that she was ended up laughiing so hard . . I'll have to leave the details to your imagination . . but Merc laughed just as hard! He had one laugh that was so hard you could hardly even hear it it was so great! He was great, and so thoughtful and considerate. A heart the size of Merc's shouldn't even fit in a person but it did. Merc always thought of others and how they were doing and what they were up to. I will miss him too. My very first thought after I heard Merc had gone on without us to heaven, was that he'll finally get to use his whole body without the limitations he had here. Imagine the conversations he and Scott can have now - with no alphabet board! I hope Jesus has it on tape! I am so sorry that we have to wait to visit with Merc about how he's doing; and that human empty ache that we have because we miss him won't just up and go away, there is no "ruler" for this. I love you all. Take Care. Love Wendy

Tammie Van Wagner

July 26, 2006

Merc was a truly amazing and fun person. On one occasion, I can remember him parading by my office at Boise Samaritan Village, last Halloween, dressed like a woman - blonde wig and satin gown. He was a hit! He wanted to make sure everyone shared a laugh or two over his contribution to dress up day. Not knowing him for very long and seeing him dressed up made me stop and realize what a unique and special individual he was.

Thank you Merc for coming by that day and letting me get to know you a little better. I will remember you always! May God Bless you as you dance in Heaven like you've never danced before!

Wendi Tillman (Godsey)

July 26, 2006

To Merc's Family

What an inspiring man Merc was! MANY years ago at Cerebral Palsy Camp in McCall, he taught me how to overlook physical disabilities and see a true person. He made people laugh and yet scream all in one breath! I remember how he used to dress in all camouflage and hide in the bushes and when an unsuspecting victim walked by he would jump out and scare the wits out of us and then laugh and laugh until we had to join him in finding the humor! Merc gave me a cross necklace for Christmas one year and I still treasure it to this day. And, even though it has been years since I last saw him, I assure you, I will NEVER forget him. My thoughts and prayers are with you, I agree with the thought that he is now running with the angels without limitations! I just hope they watch for the man in camo hiding in the bushes!

Jenny Steiner (Mumbower)

July 25, 2006

Wow, Merc, You've been one busy Jose. I don't think you've ever had an idle moment. You're so amazing. You lived life as though you had NO limitations. I remember you taking Julie & I all over Nampa on the back of your 3 wheeler bicycle with that foam pad in place of the basket. You'd scare us to death when you'd hit a bump or when you would have to get off the sidewalk to the street, but there wasn't a slope just a curb to ride off of. Of course, facing backward we couldn't see what was coming so we didn't know what we were in for, and when we would scream you'd laugh so hard you couldn't drive straight and with every swerve we'd yell again, which would make you laugh all the more.... and so, it was a viscious circle. I said a moment ago that you're amazing but somehow that doesn't really seem to come close to describing you. That thought will have to hang in the air as I sit here trying to think of another word none come to mind. Although there is such a loss for those of us left here without you I love thinking about what you must be doing in heaven. So... for now... Good-bye.

tammie boise

July 25, 2006

i will miss you too

Meg Moore

July 25, 2006

My beloved Aunt, Uncle and all my cousins: As we have already shared, I am deeply saddened by your loss, but at the same time so joyful in my heart that Merc is running and singing in Heaven. Merc was an incredible individual and he is truly an inspiration to us all. Thank you for him.

Love, Meg, Chris, Whitney & Jacob

Chuck Meyer

July 25, 2006

Merc, as a fellow police officer, I salute you. You did a fine job and are a credit to the many law enforcement officers around the United States.

Your name will be etched in a special place in heaven for your dedication to the safety and well being of others.

Chuck “Dutch” Meyer, Montana Highway Patrol, retired

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