Merlyn Vern Herker Herk passed away at home Feb 20, 2006 after a long illness. Merlyn was born September 11, 1931 in Doland, S.D. He was the first son and the forth child born to Vern and Vera Herker. Merlyn moved to the Tri-Cities in 1966 and has been employed with several Construction Companies as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He worked for Tommie?s Steel & Salvage, Hanson Construction building TV and radio towers and Kennewick Transfer and Storage. He retired after a 5-way bypass in 1992. Merlyn loved to socialize and everyone was his friend. He loved to dance, tell stories, hunt and hang out at his cabin. He was well known by his CB handle ?Red Rider?. He was a life member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2485 Kennewick, WA. Where he served as President in 1981-82, District # 11 Deputy and State Jimmy Durante Chairman. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 in Berlin, Germany; Merlyn was a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Cook-Erickson Post 7952, Richland, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Dora Hoffman, Belva Elvick, Elma Jean Herker, and June Bethke, brothers Teddy, Russell and Dale Herker. He is survived by his wife Sally of Twenty Five years; daughters, CynthiaSteve Daniel, Spokane, WA, Sondra Darrell Berry, Nez Perce, ID, Tammy Hopkins, Clarkston, WA.; sons, MikeBethHerker, Nampa, ID and Steve Herker, Kennewick, WA.; step-daughters, Brenda Jeff Howard, Sandra Jay Ross, Kennewick, WA.; grandchildren, Natasha, Matthew, Tiffany, Lucus, Levi, Nickalaus, Samantha, Holly, Jason, Drake, Laysn, Danielle and Joshua; step grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah, Natalie and Haylie; brothers, Eldon Rube Herker, Bradley, S.D, Jerry Patti Herker, Medical Lake, WA, Ron Jo Herker, Coon Rapids, MN, Tom Laurie Herker, Litchfield, MN.; sisters, Phyllis Babe Schmidt, Willow Lake, S.D., Beverly Al Doine, Sun City, AZ., Eva Ron Frank, Blaine, MN and Darlene Catching, Phoenix, AZ.; foster son Joe Allison, Kennewick , WA. Donations may be made to the Eagles Heart or Cancer funds. Viewing will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 23rd and February 24, 2006 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Mueller?s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union in Kennewick. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday February 25, 2006 at Mueller?s Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Kennewick with burial to follow at Dessert Lawn Memorial Park. Reception to follow at the Fraternal Order of Eagle Aerie 2485, 115 N. Fruitland in Kennewickcorner of Fruitland and Canal Drive.