Richard J. Merchant

Richard J Merchant of Ithaca, Michigan, was born in Alma on August 9, 1929 and died May 19, 2024. His parents were Beatrice B. (Terry) and Jay Merchant, also step-mother, Elsie (Butzin) Merchant. A sister, Lenna (R.L.) Grandy predeceased him. Richard attended country schools in New Haven Township and Fulton High School. 

In 1948 he was united in marriage to Carol Yvonne Glazier. Their children are Rodney Lee (Brenda Lindquist) and Scott Terry of Ithaca, also Kay Althea (Paul) Speranza of Hendersonville, N. C. and Sandra Louise Merchant of Alma. A daughter, Bonnie Jean, died at birth and foster son Richard Palmer passed in 2007. Grandchildren are Eric Merchant, Keli Speranza, Rocco Speranza, Thomas Gesler and Matthew Gesler. Great-grandchildren are Madysen Merchant and Masen Merchant. Their extended family includes step and foster grandchildren, as well as the Galadi and other cherished international friends. 

Richard belonged to the Ithaca Presbyterian Church, serving on the Session. He was a member of the Ithaca School Board for 20 years and the Gratiot County Historical and Genealogical Society. A talented mechanic, he was a farmer, as were his father and grandfather. Great-grandparents, Thomas and Christina (Lett) Merchant, were early pioneers of Gratiot County. In 1991, the Merchant farm was designated Michigan Centennial Farm of the Year. In 1992, farm machinery was sold, fields rented out and Merchants wintered in Florida and North Carolina. He and Carol were blessed to become residents at Maple View Retirement Community in 2022.

A memorial service will be held for Richard at 11am on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca with The Reverend Susan Sickelka officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:30am until the time of the service. A luncheon at the church will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Mapleview Retirement Community for their Park Project.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Comments

[BJ Stolz and Kim Green]

Dick was one of a kind. I never knew anybody else who would buy an expensive piece of brand-new farming equipment and immediately cut it in half with a torch and improve it with custom features! Dick will forever be a central part of my childhood memories of growing up on Merchant Farms. He will be sorely missed. Please accept condolences and healing affirmations from me, Kim, and our entire family.

[Mary Syrjala]

My deepest condolences to Carol and all who loved him. I hope he knew how much he meant to me. That smile, will forever be with me. He was a sweet gentle soul I will miss him.

[Sandra Felzke]

Our sympathy to Carol and the family. We know how much the farm and country life were a part of the family. Carol brought him into our family lineage.

[Kathy & Tom Kanitz]

Sending our condolences to the family & pray you are comforted by your memories and the Lord.

[Scott Harrison]

Anyone who knew Dick, even for a short time, has at least one story that will be funny and often inspirational at the same time. I'm choosing to selfishly hold on to my stories, because when I think of Dick it is as much with admiration as it is with fun. God could not have made a better model for characteristics to which we should aspire. The courage to undertake things when we know we're right and others don't see it. Unrepentant for the attempt, even if it doesn't work out exactly as we planned the first time. And sharing with others an infectious enthusiasm for "we'll get it next time. Just need to think about it a little more." He could suffer fools a lot longer than he suffered doubters. These too are certainly a part of his legacy, though even they were almost never without that schoolboy sense of fun. I cannot miss Dick to any degree close to what Carol and the family are experiencing, but I will miss him. My consolation, which is not insignificant, is that I got to know Dick in the first place. My sincerest thoughts and prayers for comfort for Carol, Rod, Scott, Kay, Sandy, and all the family.

[Diallo]

I will always remember the first time that I met Dick at the airport. I was 11, coming from Africa alone and not speaking one word of English. However Dick found a way to communicate with me. He was always kind, smiling, understanding with me and make me feel like I was part of his family. On behalf of the Diallo family from Ivory Coast (now living in France) our deepest condolences to Carol and all the Merchant family.