Sharon Merrick

Sharon Merrick, of Genesee, died Sunday, November 9, 2025 at her home. She was 83.

Sharon was born August 24, 1942, in Clarkston, WA to George and Ella Lunders Whitted.Sharon’s family farmed 9 miles west of Genesee, ID. She and her sister, Marilyn, grew up riding horses, milking cows, driving tractors, and driving loaded grain trucks to the storage elevators. They also helped their mother maintain the house, tend the garden, and prepare meals for farm workers. She rode the bus in grades 1 – 10 with their special friends from the neighboring Jones farm. In the 11th grade she got a car which enabled her to participate in a program that helped high school students learn professions. Sharon worked every afternoon at the local First Security Bank during her senior year. This led to her working for various banks until her retirement. Sharon was very active in various school activities and was elected Miss Genesee in her senior year.

Sharon married John Merrick at the Community Church in Genesee, ID on June 3, 1962. They were married for 63 years. In 1970 her husband, John, got a job teaching at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. They lived in Caldwell with their children, Kerri and Sara, for the next 14 years. The family attended Canyon Hill Church of the Nazarene in their neighborhood, which resulted in her having a personal relationship with Jesus. The whole family experienced much spiritual growth during their years in Caldwell.

In 1984 John accepted a teaching job back in Genesee. Sharon worked at First Security Bank and Wells Fargo Bank in Moscow and Genesee from the mid 80’s through the late 90’s. Sharon was always very involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She participated in many of their activities such as teaching Sunday School, helping with musical productions, and attending various sporting events.

She also became very involved working with the Moscow Church of the Nazarene. Some of her responsibilities with the church included being the lead greeter and foodbank/ psychological support supervisor. She also helped start the Hope Center ministry and was most recently a member of the Missions Council. Now that Sharon has passed, the greatest blessing of all is knowing that for certain she is in Heaven to live eternally with her savior, Jesus, and father God.

Sharon is survived by her husband, John Merrick, of Genesee; sister, Marilyn Whitted of Seattle; daughter, Kerri Renner (Dave), of Moscow; daughter, Sara Schaufele (Paul) of Mountain Home, Idaho; grandson, Joe Renner (Becky)of Moscow; granddaughter, Jenni Richey (Matthew) of Kent, Washington; granddaughter, Miriam Schaufele, of Mountain Home, Idaho, granddaughter, Julianne Renner of Madison, Wisconsin; grandson, Micah Schaufele (Trinity) of Mountain Home, Idaho; great grandson, Franklin, and great granddaughter, Allie, of Moscow and great grandson Bode, and great granddaughter Kenna of Kent, Washington and great granddaughter, Maylee Jo, of Mountain Home.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ella Whitted.

Sharon’s celebration of life will be heldat 11:00 a.m. onSaturday November 22, 2025 at the Moscow Church of the Nazarene, 1400 E 7th St in Moscow, Idaho with Pastor Ed Eby officiating.