Ronald “Wambo” Merrill of Kearney, MO, passed away on June 16, 2023, at the age of 56, after a long and hard-fought battle against gravity and common sense. Ron could never be accused of being a boring man. If it had wheels, he could do doughnuts in it. If it had music, he cranked it up to eleven. His greatest joy was bringing laughter to anyone who crossed his path (his second greatest joy was, of course, Mt. Dew).
Ron was born in Kankakee, Illinois, on November 21, 1966 to Della Collett and Robert “Bob” Merrill. He grew up in Aroma Park, IL, where he learned the finer arts of “redneck engineering”. He worked at the Armstrong plant, where he was known as “Wambo” to his coworkers.
He married Sheila Seddig, with whom he had two daughters who became the center of his life. Ron was also a gifted photographer and carpenter, and enjoyed racing of any kind. A friend to animals large and small, he never quite grew out of the “Can we keep it?” stage.
Ron was preceded in death by both of his parents and grandparents, as well as his uncles, Gordon Collett and George Collett.
He is survived by two daughters, Nicole (Arnold) Chambers of Liberty, MO, and Landis Merrill of Columbia, MO, and two cherished grandchildren. He also leaves behind two brothers, Daniel (Kelly) Reid and Scott Reid.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your local no-kill animal shelter. They’re going to need it, now that Ron is gone.