Dr. Richard C. Merrell

Dr. Richard Cletus Merrell, 88, formerly of West Chester, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, at his home in Locust Lake Village, overlooking his beloved Pennsylvania State Game Lands. He had been battling kidney and heart failure for several months.

“Dick,” as he was known by all, is now in Heaven with his wife of 63 years, Ardeth Glarner Merrell. He is survived by his three sons: Richard, his wife Cheryl (children Richard and Madison); Andrew, his wife Judy (children Alexander, Blaise, and Gabriel); and Jeffrey, his wife Kristen (children Jon and Andrew, wife Avery).

Born in Danville, PA, the only child of W. Cletus Merrell and Ada Marie (Foust) Merrell (deceased), his family moved to Hughesville, Pennsylvania, in 1944 when Dick was 6 years old. He graduated from Hughesville High School in 1956 and went on to earn his B.S. from West Chester State Teachers College (now West Chester University), M.M. from Eastman School of Music, and Ed.D. from Penn State University, all in Music Education. His early teaching career was spent at Chichester and Upper Darby School Districts in Pennsylvania. He became a professor at West Chester University in 1968 and eventually was the Chair of the Music Education Department prior to his retirement in 1991.

Dick spent his later years with Ardie hunting in Pennsylvania, throughout the United States, and all over the world. Trips to South Africa, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and many parts of Europe highlighted their time together as both hunters and tourists. Dick formed many lasting friendships through his local church, the Locust Lake Village community, and Safari Club International. These friendships were near and dear to his heart. His friends and family remember Dick as extremely generous with his time and his talents—ready to lend a hand to whomever needed it.

A memorial service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held Saturday, October 3, at 1 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 550 PA-940, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania 18347. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Lutheran Church.