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Merel O'Rourke Obituary
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1949 to Rex E. O'Rourke and Elizabeth Pearl Martin O'Rourke, he grew up in and around
Nezperce, Idaho. After graduating from Nezperce High School in 1968, he attended
Washington State University, graduating in 1972 with an Anthropology degree. He married
Leslie Hoffman in 1971 (they later divorced) and they had one son, Devin O'Rourke. Merel
completed two years of alternative service during the Vietnam War and then had a varied career
as a problem solver in many industries. In 2010, he went home to Nezperce to help his father
and they had four great months before Rex died. Merel then moved to Grangeville.
Merel's many interests included fly fishing, music, guitars, high-speed driving, HAM radio,
cooking, art, reading, writing, both glider and power flight, and his friends.
Merel was predeceased by his parents, an infant sister Mary, and an adopted sister Marie. He
is survived by his son, a brother Melvin, and two nephews.
Merel's ashes will be buried in the Nezperce City Cemetery and he did not want a funeral. He
did want a headstone to match his sister Marie's so anyone desiring to contribute towards that
may make a memorial gift to his estate account at Potlatch 1 Federal Credit Union in
Grangeville.
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305 North Mill St, Grangeville, ID 83530
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