Obit: Carriker, John Truman (1917 - 2006)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Carriker, Lou, McCoy, Taylor, Williams, Worlin, Little, Helms

---Source: Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln County, Wis.) Wednesday, 16 Aug. 2006; Page 10

---Carriker, John Truman (8 Sept. 1917 - 12 Aug. 2006)

John T. Carriker

John Truman Carriker, 88, of Merrill, passed into the arms of God on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice, following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 8, 1917, in Mechanicsville, S.C., the sixth of seven children born to Charles Levi and Carrie Lou Carriker. He was married to Martha Doris on Feb. 9, 1938.

Survivors include his wife Martha Doris, Merrill, son John B. (Gay), daughters Barbara McCoy and Doris "Dee" (Richard) Taylor; sister Gretchen (Jack) Williams, eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

A special memorial service will be held at a later date. The time and place will be announced. A complete obituary will be published at that time. The Waid Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family requests that memorials be given to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Pine Crest Nursing Home, or The Alzheimer's Association.

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---Source: Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln County, Wis.) Wednesday, 30 Aug. 2006; page 9

John T. and Doris H. Carriker

John Truman Carriker, 88, of Merrill, went home to his Heavenly Father on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Merrill, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, following a brief illness.

Doris H. Carriker, beloved wife of John for 68 years, went home to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services reuniting her with John for all eternity after a long battle with advanced dementia.

John was born Sept. 8, 1917, in Mechanicsville, S.C., the sixth of seven children born to Charles Levi and Carrie Lou Carriker.

Doris was born Feb. 7, 1919, in Darlington County, S.C., the sixth of seven children born to Ernest Little and Lila Mae Helms.

John and Doris were married on Feb. 9, 1938.

John was a 1934 graduate of Oakhurst High School in Charlotte, N.C. He joined the United States Army in 1936 and was assigned to the 11th Engineers in Panama prior to World War II, working on the Panama Canal. After serving his country, he returned to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he worked as a project manager for the excavation of the inland waterway before moving to Oak Ridge, Tenn., in 1943 to join the Manhattan District Engineers in the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He continued his career in defense work as manager of quality control for Sperry-Farragut (and later Raytheon) in Bristol, Tenn. He took a position in Racine with John Oster and Company as vice president of quality control. John and Doris moved to Merrill in 1965 when he became head of quality control for Weinbrenner Shoe Company. In 1966, John became a sales representative for Merrill Manufacturing Corporation until his retirement in 1983. At that time they moved to Callabash, N.C., where they lived until 2000 when they returned to Merrill.

John was an avid pilot and enjoyed flying his own aircraft for many years, and was a certified aircraft mechanic. Additionally, he was active in many sports, including a stint playing semi-professional baseball, as well as racing stock cars.

Doris was a 1936 graduate of St. John's High School in Darlington, S.C. After graduation she resided with her family in Mechanicsville, S.C., prior to her marriage. She was actively involved in her community and church, as well as in all her children's activities, serving in various offices on a voluntary basis. She always felt that her most important roles were as a wife and mother. She was a master seamstress and an astute expert in antiques, as well as a collector. She was an avid bridge player who had earned master points.

John and Doris were inseparable and, in their married life, had truly "become as one." For most of their years, Doris had cared for John with love and devotion. As her condition overtook her, their roles changed and John became the devoted caretaker.

John's tireless and persistent care for Doris was the legacy by which he will best be remembered, as he spent the last eight years caring and visiting her in nursing homes, communicating only with love. He would visit her two to three times daily, taking her around in her wheelchair, visiting with the other patients and staff. Always noted as a "Southern Gentleman," John was always dressed in a coat and tie. He always had a pocketful of candy for the other patients and staff, as well as his frequent gifts of apples. He will always be remembered for his friendliness and caring concern for others. His strong Christian beliefs were always evident.

Survivors include their son John B. (Gay), Montgomery, Ill.; daughters Barbara McCoy, Oxnard, Calif.; and Doris "Dee" (Richard) Taylor, Merrill; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and John's sister Gretchen (Jack) Williams, North Myrtle Beach, S.C. John was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and four sisters.

A combined service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Pastor Allen Worlin of Hillside Fellowship of the Assemblies of God Church will officiate. Burial will be in Merrill Memorial Park. According to their wishes, John and Doris were cremated and their ashes were co-mingled. A portion of their ashes will be interred in Merrill. The balance of their ashes will be spread from the pier at Sunset Beach, S.C.

The family requests that memorials be given to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Pine Crest Nursing Home, or The Alzheimer's Association. The Waid Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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