Norma Jean King Merriman, 87 of Taylorville passed away at 10:00am, on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Life’s Journey in Taylorville. She was born on July 7, 1928 in Taylorville, the daughter of Samuel and Margretta Jones King. She married Derald A. Merriman on June 11, 1949 in Taylorville. He passed away on March 9, 1996. Norma worked many years at her parent’s restaurant, Kings Café as well as Country Kitchen. She was a charter member of Taylorville Evangelical Free Church where she was very active. She was a member of the Christian Women’s Club and Christian County Republican Women’s Club where she served as chairwoman. Mrs. Merriman loved to play the piano and shared her talent at church and at area nursing homes. She also attended Millikin University Conservatory of Music and appeared in the 1st Christian County Senior Citizens Talent Show at Nashville North where she played ragtime piano. She was the first female drummer in the THS Band playing under the direction of Mr. Wall from 1943 until 1946. Norma and her husband Derald owned and operated Merri-King Kennels Mini Dachshunds where the kennel produced many champions over the years and were charter members of Lincoln Land Dachshund Club. She was a fantastic cook and baker and took food and desserts to anyone she knew. So many people were touched by her piano music, acts of kindness and love and her devotion to Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her daughters: Gretta Siemers, husband William and Molly Alaria, husband Larry both of Taylorville, and son: Sam Merriman of Taylorville; grandchildren: B Russell Rahar, wife Angie, Rachel Rahar, Lacey Ruggless Swinburne, Austin Alaria, and Lance Alaria; great granddaughter: Elizabeth Rahar; brother: Billy King of Taylorville, cousin Wanda Peddie of Houston TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother: Robert P. King and wife Nelva.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 in the Taylorville Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Jim Wolfe officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 until 7pm at McClure Funeral Home and from 10:30 until 11:00am Wednesday at the church. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Memorials may be made to the Taylorville Evangelical Free Church or to the Loving Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center in Taylorville. McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville is handling arrangements. Memories of Norma, or condolences to the family may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com
