Richard H. Merren Jr.

Born in La Ceiba, Honduras, Central America on 29 July 1930 to Richard H. Merren Sr and Marina Saravia Merren. Richard graduated from Sam Miguel High School in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. After graduating he came to Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 1948 and attended Indiana Technical College. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955 and once honorably discharged he returned to work at G.E. , He received his United States citizenship in 1956.

7 years later, he went to work at International Harvester, from where he retired after 28 ½ years of service with the closing of the plant on November 1986. Richard was a proud member of the UAW union during his employment with International Harvester and to the present. As member of UAW Retiree Chapter 57 representing the retirees of International Harvester

Throughout Richard's tenure with International Harvester and thereafter, in his retirement held many positions in UAW Local 57 from steward to acting President. On retirement, he was elected as Chair of his Retiree Chapter, Chair of the UAW 4th Area Retiree Council, Chair of Region 3 Indiana - Kentucky Retirees Council. He served as Chair of the UAW Community Action Programs for Adams, Allen, and Wells County from March 1976 to April 2015. Richard was also Chair of the Indiana 3rd District C.A.P. Council, served on the Executive Board of Region 3 UAW C.A.P. Council and Auto Council

A loyal Democrat serving the Allen County Democratic Party as a precinct committee person, County Treasurer, and representative of labor. Richard was elected as a State Convention delegate from 1970 to present and National Convention Delegate six times. Served as a labor liaison for Congresswoman Jill Long and on committees for Mayors Graham Richard and Tom Henry. Served on many executives boards of local agencies, such as United Way of Allen County, Red Cross, Washington House Treatment Center, Catholic Social Services, Indiana Alliance of Retired Americans, United Senior Action of Indiana, Holiday Cab Program to name a few. Richard received many awards, such as the National Red Cross Award for Labor Leadership, United Hispanic Volunteer of the Year, The Mark J. Lawrence Award, The Mack T.Lawrence Award the J. Edward Rousch Life Time Service Award. The Douglas A. Fraser Community Service Award, Region 3 UAW Director's Award, Allen County Democrat of the Year Award, Kentucky Colonel awarded by Kentucky Governor, Steven L. Beshear and Secretary of State, Alison Lundergan Grimes, and many more.

He was a member of The American Legion, Order of the Eagles, NAACP.,A Philip Randolph Institute, and Indiana Alliance for Retired Americans A.P.R.I, and I.A.R.A. Richard loved to dance and fish, but his favorite was meeting people. He had a passion for making new acquaintances into friends. He just loved people regardless of their walk of life. Richard often remarked that as we plant flowers, to enjoy their beauty. People are God's flowers with all the beauty created by God for us to cherish, love, and respect, for as long as He granted us life.

Surviving: son, Antonio Merren of Honduras; sister, Kathryn Merren Wolff of Seabrook, Texas; brothers, Bobby, John, and Jarrod Merren in Honduras; as Richard would say, My adopted kids Leroy and Naomi Brown, and his great extended family- All of the UAW active and retired workers of this great USA.

Preceding in death: wives, Rosalie Merren and Dorotha Crawford Merren; sister, Esperanza Mejia; brothers, Roger A and Winston C. Merren; father and mother, Richard H. and Marina S Merren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday October 3, 2017, Fr Lawrence Teteh,Officating, at St Therese Catholic Church 2304 Lower Huntington Road. with calling one hour prior.

Calling also Monday October 2, 2017 D.O. MCComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home 1140 Lake Ave 2 to 5 and 7 to 9pm. Burial will be Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with US Army Honors. A Luncheon will be held after the committal service at the church.Richard requested no flowers. Memorials to Cancer of Allen County