Henry "Jerry" Jonathan Merriam Jr.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."                                                                      Joshua 1:9

On the evening of July 8, 2026 "Jerry" went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He peacefully entered his heavenly home with his family by his side after hearing loving memories of a wonderful life shared together as brother, father, and grandfather.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Jonathan and Mildred (Campbell) Merriam, loving wife, Roberta "Bert" (Kettelkamp) Merriam, infant daughter, Kelly Sue, and sister, Jean Jones.

Jerry was born on September 1, 1937, in Springfield, Illinois. He graduated from Springfield High School and married his high school sweetheart, "Bert" before entering the US Army in Frankfurt, Germany for two years.

Upon his honorable discharge from the US Army and return to the United States, Jerry became an excellent and compassionate police officer for the City of Springfield until his retirement.

Jerry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a quiet man who was kind, giving, thoughtful, caring, and a faithful person to his family and to those who knew him well. He loved reading, fishing, and nature, studying history, traveling, and learning about the vast universe.

He was also an avid fan of his St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, Illinois Basketball team, and even though he moved to the land of The Ohio State Buckeyes, he stayed true to his Fighting Illini Football!

Jerry was a member of West Side Christian Church in Springfield. He and his wife "Bert" were members of "Floy's Follies", a vaudeville lip-syncing group that developed out of their Sunday school class performing for twenty-five years for various civic and community functions, church groups, and prisons.

Due to health concerns, Jerry moved to Victoria House Assisted Living in Austintown in 2024 and joined Praise Assembly of God Church in Niles, Ohio which is pastored by his son-in-law, Michael Zenn.

Jerry is survived his daughters, Robbin (Gene) Adams of Grass Valley, CA, Rebecca (Michael)Zenn of Austintown, OH; granddaughters, Abigail (Adams) Ott of Chico, CA, Andrea Adams of Sacramento, CA, Aubrey Hejney-Adams of Sparks, NV, Amanda Adams of San Diego, CA; great-granddaughters, Mia and Rory Ott; brother, Wiliam (Nancy) Merriam of Ft. Meyers, FL; five nephews and several great-nephews.

The family would like to extend special thank you to the staff of Victoria House Assisted Living in Austintown for the love and excellent care shown to Jerry while at what he called “home” for the last two years.

A private family graveside service will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.

Memorial donations may be made in Jerry’s name at: Praise Assembly of God Church, 1004 North Main St, Niles, OH 44446 or Christian Encounter Ranch, PO Box #1022, Grass Valley, CA 95945.

Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S Silvat Inc. Share memories and send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com.