Richard was born July 5th 1925 to Hannah (Hoesing) and William Merrigan in Menominee, NE. He went to school at the old Catholic School and later married Barbara Shelburg. He worked the early part of his life for John Gregg at Couch Motors, later started his own business, Merrigan's Used Cars and Salvage. He was the constant deal maker in life, always working hard and looking for new opportunities. Later he and his wife bought older homes and renovated them while still running the primary business.

He helped numerous people in life with free rent, money, food, car parts, and cars. He knew what it was like to be in need. His smile and quick wit earned him the knick name shady; you never knew what he was going to say. Often you would hear him telling stories of the gas rationing, bootlegging and old glory days of Yankton.

He taught his children strong work ethics, never be afraid of hard work or thinking outside the box.

He is survived by one sister Joan (Glenn) Stuen, Forest Lake, MN. His surviving children are Rick (Lisa) Merrigan, Sandy Merrigan, and MelCena (Curtis) Bernard, all of Yankton, SD; grandchildren, Heather, Sherry and Kylie Merrigan; 3 great grandchildren; 3 brothers-in-law, Charlie, James and John Shelburg; 3 sisters in law, Kathy, Donna and Marlene Shelburg, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, sister, Hyacinth Freeman, father and mother.

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