Obituaries: Catherine Margaret "Katie" Merryman

ILWACO – Catherine M. “Katie” Merryman, 88, died Sept. 14, 2006, in Ilwaco. The daughter of Joseph Andrew and Ada Catherine (Ledford) Hallford, she was born Jan. 29, 1918, in Lamar, Ok.

She married Leon Lee Merryman on Oct. 29, 1935, in Safford, Ariz. She and her husband followed construction carpentry work through World War II and in 1952 settled in the Yakima valley. There she actively engaged in the business of raising fruit for over 25 years.

In addition to farming Mrs. Merryman cooked in restaurants, did practical nursing and operated a foster home where she and Leon served 19 foster children, two of whom they eventually adopted. She loved to hunt, fish, read, camp and travel. Ten years ago she moved to the Long Beach Peninsula to be near family.

Survivors include her brothers Lester Lee Hallford and Burman Leslie Hallford both of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; sons Spencer Linchford Merryman of Coolidge, Ariz., and Michael Leo Merryman of Sedona, Ariz.; daughters Ada Naomi Merryman of Pasco and Phyllis Wayss of Long Beach; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her adopted children Timothy Isaac Merryman and Wendy Marie Merryman reside in South Bend. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo and granddaughter Stephanie Dawn Jackson.

Graveside rites will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Zillah City Cemetery. Arrangements are by Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach.