Clarence Richard Demerle

He leaves behind two daughters Ashley Ryan DeMerle and Sasha Kristian Corbett; three grandchildren, Destiny Corbett, Jude Charles Elmore, and Luca Richard Elmore. He also leaves his furry companion and sidekick of almost 10 years Calamity (Callie) Jane DeMerle who will now live out her years with Ashley and family. Rick’s family was more than just blood related as he also leaves behind countless people that he touched with his warm and charismatic charm. Everyone truly lost an incredible soul, four days of rain after his passing certainly seemed symbolic of that.

Rick’s passion for life was obvious to all who met him, and it spilled out of him to others. There are people who tell you how to live a better life and then there are people who just show you how to live a better life by their example and Rick certainly did that. He was passionate about the outdoors from his time spent in the Army, then later to his growing career in the construction industry as well as in his leisure. He found peace in mother nature. His last few years were filled with chasing his dreams of playing music, learning guitar, outdoor photography, exploring the outdoors with his grandson, shooting competitively with his daughter, camping, and most of all through service work at the local homeless shelter cooking and serving meals.

Rick made a conscious decision to turn his will and life over to the care of God as he understood him and with the help of a fellowship with like minded people, he lived a spiritual life based on humility, acceptance, perseverance, forgiveness and love for 34 beautiful years. We find comfort in knowing he was welcomed warmly as he passed, by those that he loved and lost including his adopted mother and father(Eleanor Elizabeth Enxel DeMerle and Clarence Henry DeMerle), two of his most beloved friends and spiritual mentors, and that he finally met his birth mother, Evelyn Kravitz Ashcraft, who he looked forward to the day when their “spirits could finally connect.”

There will never be a single day that he is not missed by those who loved him but it’s beautiful knowing that he is free from pain and left this world a little better because of the life he lived. He dreamed of flying with the birds that he admired and loved, and we smile at each bird we see knowing his soul is at peace. We miss your big smile, laugh and hugs, but all that loved you will make sure you live on forever through your stories and the love we carry in our hearts for you for all eternity.

We will celebrate a life well lived late October. Date to be determined and announced ASAP.