Chester “Chet” Thomas Merriam
November 18, 1945 – April 4, 2024
Chester “Chet” Thomas Merriam, age 78 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday, April 4, 2024, at The Heritage of Overland Park, Kansas after battling Parkinson’s Disease. He was born November 18, 1945, to Chester Henry and Elizabeth Catherine Bendig Merriam in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Chet, the youngest of three children, grew up in Philadelphia and was a high school graduate of St. George Catholic School. He lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as well as Warrensburg and Harrisonville, Missouri before renovating and moving on his wife’s family farm near the Ballard Community in 2002. Chet was a United States Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam Era. While stationed in Missouri he met Karla Loy Poore and they married on June 10, 1967 in Butler, Missouri. They were married for over 56 years and raised two sons together. After his military service he began his working career with Jarold’s Plumbing and Heating in the early 1970s and eventually in 1974, purchased the business with John Gentry. In 1976, Chet and Karla created Merriam’s Plumbing, eventually becoming Merriam’s Plumbing and Pool Supply in Harrisonville. Chet was a member and Past President of the Harrisonville Rotary Club, and was elected and served on the Harrisonville School Board and Harrisonville City Council. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the Antioch Southern Baptist Church, both in Harrisonville, and then after moving to Ballard, he and Karla attended Fairview Baptist Church.
Chet enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, golfing, and playing card games. He loved bird watching and old westerns. You could always find Chet willing to help family, friends and neighbors with home improvement projects.
Chet is survived by his oldest son, Martin T. Merriam and wife Shelly of Lake Winnebago, Missouri and Brant J. Merriam of Harrisonville, Missouri; four grandchildren, Austin, Kennadi, Shannon, and Wyatt; a sister, Lorraine McCay and her son Kenny McCay; and three nieces, Debbie, Carolyn and Cheryl all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Raymond Merriam; and his wife, Karla Merriam who recently passed on December 24, 2023. Chet lovingly took care of his wife through her later years while suffering with Alzheimer’s.
Celebration of life service with Military Honors will be 3 p.m., Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 2 - 3 p.m. Thursday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Private family inurnment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to the Parkison’s Foundation, Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Fairview Baptist Church. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
