Dr. Richard Karl Merry

Dr. Rich Merry was my dentist growing up and was good friends with my grandma, I also took care of him on Acu @ Sblhs. He was the most pleasant and caring person. He will be forever loved and missed not yet forgotten. You always be in my heart Rich.
Megan Moritz

Dr. Merry was a kind, gentle person, with a wonderful heart for his patients, friends, and family. He will be sadly missed. God Bless.

Missy, Bob, and Jacob Gawthorp
Smyrna, TN.
(Formerly of Mattoon, IL)

My prayers are with Doc's Mother and the entire family at this time. May you find comfort in knowing that nothing will ever seperate you from the love of God.--Class of 1962

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

My deepest sympathies to your family. I was surprised and saddened to hear of Rich's death. My thoughts are with you.

Our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to family, friends, and associates of Dr. Merry. We pray God will comfort each of you during this time of loss. We are so sorry to have lost this man who cared so much for the people he came in contact with during his life and he will be dearly missed. Sincerely, Bob and Karen Westenhaver

I HAD RICHARD IN MY CALCULUS CLASS IN 1965. DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS HE HAD BEEN MY DENTIST. NO MATTER WHAT HE GAVE HIS PATIENTS THE BEST CARE DAY AND NIGHT.
IN MANY WAYS HE WAS ONE OF GOD'S FINEST CREATIONS AND PLANET EARTH IS POORER BECAUSE HE IS NOT AMONG US.
MAY GOD GIVE HIM PLACE NEXT TO HIM.
HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES TO HIS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

My condolences to Dr. Merry's family. I got to meet him when HE was the patient, and he was very patient with us. I know he will be greatly missed.

Words from strangers and friends will do little to ease your grief right now but I hope that knowing how much Rich meant to the community and his patients will bring you comfort in the days to come. He was a special man and will be missed by all.

My deepest sympathy to the entire Rich Merry family. Rich was an extraordinary man. Because of his kindness and empathy, he was the only dentist I could trust. Rich will truly be missed, and I feel honored to have been his friend.

Dr. Merry made each patient feel as if he or she was an outstanding patient. Actually, he was an outstanding dentist. He would always apologize and say, "I'm sorry, this is going to hurt a little for a few seconds." He wanted each patient
to have his pager number. When I told Dr. Merry I chipped the corner of my old filled tooth from eating Laffy Taffy, he replied, "I eat Laffy Taffy." He will be deeply missed.

Dr. Merry was one of a kind. He was a great guy to work for and would have done anything for his employees and his patients. He will be missed by all who knew him. Marg, Mrs Merry, Steve, Julie and Ben I am sorry for your loss. He is a loss to the whole community. My family will miss him as our denist.
Denise, Harold, Jeremy,
Jason and Jayden Shores

To the family of Dr. Merry, I give my most sincere condolences. Dr Merry has been my only dentist in life, and I suspect I will have a difficult time finding another dentist that cares about their patients as much as Dr. Merry did. The office staff was always great too. I was working and unable to attend the funeral services or visitation, and I am very sorry for that. Dr. Merry talked with me a lot about investments, motivational books and tapes, and other things like that. He talked highly about his mother and son a lot with me, and I am sorry I am will not have the chance to meet them during the celebration of his great life. I am so sorry about your loss, and hope I do have the good fortune to meet you folks in the future. Being a Realtor, Dr Merry and I have had many great conversations about property in the area, and about the home in Oblong. He was very proud of that property and the negotiation process. I know he is playing golf in heaven; that I have no doubt about.
I wish the family peace in the days and weeks to come.

Dr. Merry was a special dentist and friend. He always seemed to put himself in the patient's place so that he knew what one was thinking and the questions they needed answered. He had great compassion for the feelings of others. He had a terrific office staff. My brother, Bruce, enjoyed Rich's friendship and playing golf with him. Rich will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Dr. Merry was a very kind and wonderful person. I will miss him. He was my dentist and my friend for many years. It breaks my heart that he is gone. After reading his guest book I realize many of his patients feel as I do. My heart goes out to his family and his staff at this sad time.

To the family and staff of Dr.Merry: Words cannot express the type of dentist and friend Dr.Merry was. I loved going to the dentist because it was him that I was going to see. I have never known a dentist like him and I believe I never will. He always had his patients best interest at heart. I will miss him very much. His passing is a great loss to his patients as well as his family and friends. You have my deepest sympathies.

Dr. Merry was bigger than life to me, I think. After having horrible, nearly abusive experiences with dentists as a young child, I remember the safety I felt the first time I sat in his chair - the clean smell of his hands, patting my shoulder, and the gentleness of his voice telling me during a procedure "now if anything hurts, you tell me and I'll stop," and he was true to his word. I was one of his "crozette" patients. Even after I moved away, I still came to him as much as I could. Even living out of state, I recently told someone that if I could, I would gladly make a special trip back to Mattoon just for him to be my dentist. There's no dentist like him! My sincerest condolences to your family. May he find perfect rest.

As a classmate of Richads with the class of "62", it was my privilage to know him as a fun loving young man. The years passed quickly and i would see him occasionally at class reunions. He was still the fun loving young man of my memory.

To the family of Dr. Merry,
I grew up with Dr. Merry as my dentist and loved going to the dentist because of him. What kid likes the dentist? I think this is a testiment to the person he was. He was generous and kind and always had a smile for everyone. It was hard to move away and find a "replacement" dentist. My new dentist hasn't even mentioned golf! One of my best memories was not in the exam chair but when Dr. Merry took us to play at Mattoon CC I think he wanted to show off a new driver he had just bought.
My heart goes out to all he left behind, family, patients and coworkers. He will be missed.

Dr. Merry became my family's dentist when he was in Shelbyville. He was kind and compassionate. The thing I remember the most were his eyes. They were always so comforting, even during the most difficult procedure! He will be sadly missed. He's one of those people that you assume will 'always' be there, no matter how old we all get. My heart and prayers go out to his family.

Dr. Merry was the best dentist. He always had the kindest words to say while he was working on my teeth. He has touched many peoples lives.
My sympathy goes out to Dr. Merry's family & his wonderful staff. He will be deeply missed by many of us. May he rest in peace.

I started going to Dr. Merry for dental work in 1968 in Shelbyville, and he has been my only dentist for 40 years. I always felt that he was very honest and caring. I'll miss him.

My deepest sympathies to the Dr. Merry family. He truly was a wonderful man, that I have had the pleasure of knowing since I was 3 yrs. old. He was very compassionate, genuine and sincere. One thing about him that always made me laugh...I am 39 yrs. old, a paramedic, and he Still would NOT let me see the needle when I was in the dental chair!! As an adult, and the job I do, I realize life happens, but the kid in me thinks that Dr. Merry should be around forever!! He will be truly missed!!! God Bless...

We were very sorry to hear about Rich. I met Rich in college at
Eastern where we were on the golf team together. We have still stayed in contact with each other since then as we have played many fun rounds of golf even playing on the senior golf tour. He was a great golfer and a very good friend - always happy. We will miss him. Jim and Mary Sunday

My sympathy goes out to the family of Dr. Merry. Dr. Merry was my dentist for as long as I have had teeth. He made if fun to go to the dentist and up to this week I always looked forward to going to the dentist, I may never again. I remember sitting in the waiting room as a child and knowing that at the end of my check up I would get a beautiful rose sticker. In later years I just looked forward to seeing his smile and getting the chance to talk to the best dentist and kindest soul in the business. He will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family, who ment so much to him, and his staff who will never work in the same environment again. God Bless

Chas, Josh and family,

So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Nothing is more dear than the memories you cherish. God be with you.

Dr. Merry is the only dentist I've ever had. I've known him over 35 years. He was great at his job and was a caring person. Our family will miss him very much.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Our sympathy to Richard's family. He was the most caring dentist anyone could want-always asking if you were ok while he was working on you.It's going to be very hard to find a replacement. We will miss him greatly.

Dr. Merry was my dentist for years, and knowing I feared the dentist chair was always so gentle. He treated me like a friend, as he did all of his patients. He will certainly be missed. Please accept my sincere sympathy.

To the Merry Family and Dr. Merry's Staff,
It seems impossible to speak of any consolation in the face of such a bitter loss and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to you all. Our community has lost someone very special.

Rich and I, while parted by miles and years, were always friends. EHS and the class of '62 was the making of memories - first dance lessons, a homecoming we neither had dates for, football sock hops that ended in food at Big Boy. You will be missed. May the care of Angels surround your family at this time.
Marilyn (Miller) Burns

I was so sorry to hear about Rich. Rich and I were college buddies and played a lot of golf together at EIU. He will be missed.

To friends and family,
I would like to extend my sympathies and share fond memories of Dr. Merry. He was my dentist for years and during my teens. We both shared the love of cars and Porsches. He made it a point to mark his calendar when I had an appointment, and would drive one of his Porsches in to work. While my shots were taking affect, he would say "come on, lets take a spin!" And my teenage eyes would light up and we would go for a joy ride. He even let me drive , once I turned 16 of course! He knew how much that meant to me then. I'll never forget his kindness.

DR. Merry was loved by all that knew him. He wasn't just your dentist, he was your friend. I remember one Sun night at 10 PM, he opened up his office and started a root canal on me, because I called him in pain. That's just the way he was. He really cared about you. We will miss him.

We were deeply saddened to learn of Richard's passing. We were both classmates of Richard's at EHS and last saw him at our 40th class reunion. Please know you all will be in our thoughts and prayers.

To the Merry Family: My sincere condolences on the loss of Richard. Albeit the fact that he was a cousin, he was also a friend and in our youth we enjoyed a myriad of experiences which often times had less than favorable results. None the less we always had fun. Professionally he was an outstanding dentist and his work on my behalf has been admired by Dentists all over the world. We will miss you Richard, hit'em long and straight!

Dr. Merry...What a special man! We will miss him, always remember him, and always love him. The Adam Boys and Jerry & Cheryl

Gwendolyn and family. I am very sorry to hear the news about Richard. I remember the great times we had in high school and after. He was the best man in my wedding in calif and traveled with my mother to calif 2 times. My kids still talk about the time meeting Richard in Effingham in 2001. Our prayers are with the family.

Karen and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this time. My dear husband of 26 years passed away 2 months ago, so I have an idea of what you are going through.
Love,
Your cousin, Deana Stiff

Karen and Family;
Rich was my first boyfriend years ago, we were classmates from elementary thru HighSchool class of '62. Rich was a wounderful person and will be greatly missed by all of us. It was great visiting with him at our class reunion last October. I am so sorry for your loss Karen and your family, he was I know the love of your life. My thoughts and Prayers are with you all. May God be with you all.
Pam (Auton) Snyder

The summer of 1969 was a bright spot in my life when I first met Rich Merry and he became not only my dentist for life but a life long friend.
As a dentist, he was the best--on call 24/7 for all his patients. He always made you feel like you were the most important patient he had. It's been 39 years. As a friend he was even better. There is comfort in the fact that Rich is now in a place where there is no sorrow and no pain. I pray he'll now get to spend eternity swinging his driver and sharing stories with everyone he meets! I will sorely miss this "one of million" true friend. To the family of Dr. Richard Karl Merry, you have my sincere and deepent sympathy.

My thoughts & prayers are with Dr. Merry and his family. He was indeed the best dentist I ever had. He was also a very good friend to my dad, Bob Parker.

Dr. Merry was my dentist for as long as I can remember (I am 38). I really enjoyed him and I appreciated his knowledge! Your family is in my prayers.

Dr. Merry was my best friend and the greatest dentist there ever was. I have been his patient and good friend since I was in my teens. Dr. Merry would actually sit and talk even if he was running late. I can never forget him, he was always there for me day or night. He will be truly missed in my heart. My sympathies go out to his family. I am very sorry. Teresa Bouck, Windsor, IL.

DR. Merry was the best!! Mike and I had been his patients for approx. 30 years, he was always willing to talk and listen and was always so considerate of his patients. He also had the best staff working for him, we will miss him and his staff very much!! Our thoughts are with his family and friends that loved him alot.

To Doctor Merry's family....Dr. Merry was a gentleman and a wonderful dentist he was so gracious to my family. Especially my daughter, Vanessa when she was a child and he treated her. My prayers are with you as you go thru this difficult time. Yours, Elaine Mentz Woodall, Springfield, Illinois & Vanessa Woodall Cloe, Bloomington, Indiana

Dr. Merry was the best dentist I ever had. He was so kind and always had time to talk with you. He was more than a dentist, he was a friend and my family and I will miss him very much.

Our deepest sympathy is with the family. No words can help comfort at this time. Just know that he was well liked and loved by many. He was a special dentist that can say that he is loved by his patients, friends, and family.

To the Merry family: My deepest and most profound sympathy in the passing of a wonderful friend and your family's dear son, brother, father and husband. I will always hold dear to me "Doc's" sense of humor and generosity. Simply, the most kind and giving man I have ever known. May his soul be at peace and his life be celebrated...Rich will be forever missed, but remembered. God Bless.

Rich will be sorely missed. Notwithstanding his unequaled dental skills, Cathy and I considered him a true friend. His passion for his patient's well-being always was his major concern. He was always there, at any hour, with his bright and cheerful nature to care for his patients. Doc was a true giver. Rest in peace my dear friend.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

My deepest sympathy to the Merry family. You have suffered a great loss. May God be with each of you at this time of sorrow.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Dr. Merry was the best dentist I ever had. He was also a good friend who will be sorely missed.

My prayers and sympathy go to the Merry family during this time. We were classmates at Effingham and played football at EHS. Rich will be missed by his friends.