Merle Black Richardson August 3, 1940 ~ December 23, 2022

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Merle Black Richardson, age 82, quietly completed her earthly mission on December 23, 2022.
Merle was born August 3, 1940 in Blanding, UT to Melvin Aldro and Melva Hurst Black. 
She graduated from San Juan High School and LDS Business College.
In the spring of 1963, Merle was asked if she would consider going on a blind date. That blind date led to a marriage of 59 years!
She was married and sealed to her sweetheart Billy Joe Richardson on December 4, 1963 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Together they raised four children in Eastland, UT. 
Merle is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings and leadership positions in the Church and also in the Eastland community.
Bill and Merle served a temple mission in the Monticello Temple and served as ordinance workers for 13 years. She loved the temple.
Merle enjoyed flowers, gardening, sewing, piano, crafts, cooking, food preservation, cake decorating, painting, family history, and going for scenic rides. The most important thing to her was spending time with family.
Merle spent countless hours helping with the family farm raising wheat, beans, and kids. She was always there to support her husband and children in their pursuits which were many and varied. She is an amazing example of love, service, and faith.
Merle is survived by her eternal companion Bill Richardson, children DeAnn (Tyler) Price, Colleen (Gary) Stewart, Valerie (Andrew) Havens, and Walt (Becky) Richardson, 15 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, sister Shirley (Don) Gunderson, and sister-in-law Denise Black. 
She is preceded in death and welcomed home by her parents Melvin and Melva Black, brothers Melvin Grant and Duane Roy Black, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the Eastland Branch Chapel on December 30, 2022. Interment in the Mountain View Cemetery in Eastland.

Card of thanks
The family of Merle Richardson extends sincere thanks for the many acts of help, kindness, love and support shown by visiting, bringing food, and sending flowers and cards.
Our deep appreciation goes to the emergency and medical staff that cared for her.
We also thank those who participated in the services, and the Eastland Branch Relief Society.
Bill Richardson
DeAnn & Tyler Price
Colleen & Gary
Stewart
Valerie & Andrew
Havens
Walt & Becky
Richardson