William “Merrill” Renick

William “Merrill” Renick, 98, was born February 12, 1917, in Garden City, Kansas. He passed away September 17, 2015, St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was the only child of Charles Edmiston & Christeen (Frederikson) Renick . 

Merrill attended Garden City schools graduating from high school, May 1934. He attended Garden City Junior College, Kansas University and graduated from Kansas City School of Pharmacy, May 1939. He returned to Garden City joining the Renick family drug store, which had been established, in 1903. Later he and his father, Charles E. Renick were owners of Renick Drug No. 1, at 413 N. Main Street. Merrill and his cousin Charles Leroy Renick started the Plaza Pharmacy, in 1965, of which he was an owner until 1990. December 31, 1978 he closed Renick Drug No. 1, when he retired. He served as a Finney County Commissioner from 1964 to 1968.

Merrill married Roberta Mae Ackley, daughter of Floyd Elmer Ackley and Vera Leah Knoll. They married Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, at the Presbyterian Church, in Dodge City, Kansas. They celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary this year.

April 25, 1942 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was a Pharmacist Mate First Class, serving in the Seventh Fleet, aboard an LCI set up as a mobile hospital. During the Battle of Leyte he was wounded, October 20, 1944, for which he received the Purple Heart Medal. Merrill was discharged, September 28, 1945, after serving nearly 3 ½ years.
He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and life member of the Elks Lodge and Freemasons Tyrian Lodge #246 .

He is survived by his wife, Roberta, three daughters, Sandra Stark (Don), Merri Conley, Julie Leonard (Steve); five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Presbyterian Church, Monday, September 21, 2015, at 2:00 p. m. Burial will be at Valley View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Finney County Public Library or the Presbyterian Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home.

Calling Hours are from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday and Noon to 8:00 PM Sunday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City

Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com