Wanda June Merrick

Graveside services for Wanda June (Leek) Merrick, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Evergreen Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Wanda passed away peacefully 12:15 p.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at West Vue Nursing Center after a brief illness.

She was born July 22, 1939, in Hartville, Missouri, to James Irvin Leek and Orla Faye Hutsell Leek.  On January 18, 1959, she was married at Burlington Junction, Missouri, to Coy Deward Hampton, who preceded her in death. In March of 1986, she was married to Ivan Stockton, who also preceded her in death. On October 19, 2002, she was married at West Plains to Norval Merrick. Wanda had worked at West Plains Ramada Inn as head of housekeeping for several years before her retirement and had made forever friends who were her co-workers there.  Wanda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, and friend. She dearly loved her family which was extended through marriage over the years with many bonus family members who she considered her very own.  Wanda loved flowers and enjoyed watching the birds, butterflies and deer which frequented her yard. She was a crafter including that she made jewelry and special Christmas cards and personalized ornaments. She painted on canvas and all kinds of other things and liked to polish rocks she found in her yard. Everyone who knew her will remember her sweet smile and readiness to offer encouragement.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Norval Merrick, of the family home; two sons, Allen Hampton and Terry, and Wade Hampton and Trudy, all of West Plains; three bonus sons Dante Merrick and Deanna, of Lost Nation, Iowa, Coy Stockton of West Plains, Larry Stockton and Cathy, of West Plains; four bonus daughters, Kelli Grey of Farley, Iowa, Leah Willers and Mark of Springfield, Missouri, Karen Collins of West Plains, Teresa Sexton of West Plains; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; 21 bonus grandchildren; 21 bonus great-grandchildren, one bonus great-great grandchild; one brother, John Leek of Des Moines, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Lois Staner of West Plains, Melva and Tom Trunnel of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Marna Kitchens of Bristol, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Rod Merrick and Maxine of West Plains; many nieces and nephews; a wide circle of friends, neighbors, and cousins; her church family at Providence Baptist Church, West Plains; and her devoted dachshund, Sunny.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Deena Payne Johnson; one brother, Irvin “Joe” Leek; two sisters-in-law, Mary Leek and Lynda Leek; and bonus daughter Diana Jo (Jody) Tucker.

Visitation services will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity of choice and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.