Debbie L. Merritt, 64

We lost our beautiful, loving angel at 3:06 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, surrounded by the love of her family.

Debbie was born on Aug. 24, 1952, in Granite City, Ill., to Hobson D. Palmer Sr. and Bettye Elizabeth Palmer.

Debbie met and married the love of her life, Trennis Ray Merritt, on Sept. 26, 1970. Trennis and Debbie lived in St. Charles, Mo., until 1993 when they moved the family to Rathdrum, Idaho. Debbie loved the beauty of her little town nestled in the mountains of North Idaho. After raising her three daughters, she went back to school and graduated with her Pharmacy Technician Certification. As a Pharmacy Technician, she was able to help others and met many wonderful friends and coworkers.

Debbie was a caring Mom, loving Grandma, doting Wife and sincere friend. Her favorite pastimes included sewing, quilting, reading, cooking, researching her family genealogy and watching movies, but above all she loved to spend time with her family.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Trennis Ray Merritt; daughters and their spouses, Melanie and Jeff Phillips of Rathdrum, Jaime and Matt Campanella of Post Falls, Idaho, and Deanna and Tony Bai of Fredericksburg, Va.; grandchildren Cole, Mattea, Christian, Chloe, Quinlan and Kailin; siblings, Mary (Del) Preston of Arnold, Mo., and Hobson D. (Mary Ellen) Palmer Jr. of St. Louis, Mo., Earl (Becky) Slygh of Indiana; and many, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Hobson and Bettye Palmer; and parents-in-law Russell and Melba Jean Merritt; sister Mattie Sue Ray; brother Forest Jefferson Palmer and sister Carolyn Hall.

The family would like to thank the amazing doctors and nurses in the Critical Care Unit at Kootenai Health for their compassion and care.

A celebration of life is being held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls.

Please visit Debbie’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.