Shelly Lynn Merrick

On October 18th, 2023, Shelly Lynn Merrick sadly left us, but she will forever live on through the memories we all cherish of her.

Shelly was born on April 3rd, 1969, to Walter Bruce Kemp and Donna Sue Schibi in Huntington, West Virginia. Shelly was the youngest of the two daughters they had together. Shelly was a graduate of Center High School in 1987. 

It was not long after, Shelly welcomed her first born son, Steffan, into this world and began her new life as a young mother.

A few years later, Shelly met Frank Merrick and they were later married before bringing their daughter, Kirsten into the world. The blended family spent several years together before deciding to part ways. However, the families remained close and supported each other throughout the years. 

Shelly ran a successful daycare out of her home for a number of years and helped to raise many children that came through her doors. Many parents trusted her with their kids and she was proud of the care she provided. 

In 2008, Shelly learned that she would become a mother yet again and her youngest son Ryan was born. Having two older children, life was sure interesting for Shelly from then on out, but many blessings came from the three unique kids she was given. 

Shelly began working for the United States Postal Service in 2014 where she would continue her career there until 2023. Shelly spent time at various Post Office locations, but ended her tenure with the Belton, MO office as a Clerk. She loved her work there and talked about her employee duties with the USPS often. Shelly also enjoyed time spent with various coworkers and was thankful for those she met over her years there. 

Also in 2014, Shelly became a grandma for the first time to her grandson, Alec. He would be the apple of her eye until she was blessed with another grandson, Gage, in 2017. The two spent so much time with their “Nanna” and could be found at her home about as often as their own. She loved going fishing and spending quality time with her boys. Family was everything to Shelly, but her grandsons held the most special place in her heart. 

In July of 2021, Shelly proudly bought her very first home all on her own in Adrian, MO. She was so overjoyed her years of hard work and sacrifices made it a reality. Most of all, Shelly was proud to finally own a home for all of her children and grandchildren to come visit. 

Just a few short months prior to Shelly’s passing, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Small Cell Lung Cancer. She had begun treatments and was optimistic as she got further into her battle with the ugly disease. While we will never understand why she was not given the chance to continue her care and hopefully beat cancer altogether, we choose to celebrate that we never “lost” the Shelly we all knew, who was so full of life and was anticipating so much for the future. 

While she was taken from us too early, we are often reminded by all of the little things around us how Shelly lived her life unapologetically or without holding back. For such a petite woman, Shelly wasn’t scared to go where she wanted or do what she pleased, and she’d let you know that, too! Shelly never seemed to let the hardships of life keep her down too long and we find comfort knowing she’d want us all to share in the same spirit.  

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with Inurnment at Mt. Olivet cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri at a later date.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.