Protinica Donna M. Merick, 72, of Wintersville, Ohio fell asleep in the Lord on June 6, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio after a brief illness. She was born and raised in the Cleveland area to late parents Samuel and Anne Kostura Oglesby. Protinica graduated from Parma High School and St. Alexis School of Nursing becoming a registered nurse and serving in a number of hospitals in Cleveland, Bronxville, NY, Youngstown and Steubenville; and in home health care. She was a born caregiver to many throughout her life. Married to Rade (Ralph) Merick in 1975, she accompanied her husband to St. Vladimir’s Seminary in New York and for nearly a year in Kragujevac, Serbia, where he served as a deacon. Protinica was an active and devoted mother to two sons and to the parishioners of the parishes she and her husband served in Farrell, PA and Steubenville, Ohio, until their retirement in 2019.
She was a devout Orthodox Christian from birth who faithfully attended services, taught and supervised Church School, sang responses in the choir and at services when needed and faithfully read her study Bible at home. A fine cook and hostess, she prepared gibanica and other Serbian specialties for the church picnic and was a fixture at the cevapcici tent. Protinica delighted in being able to give gifts to the children of friends.
Protinica Donna was preceded in death by parents, sister Carol Seiple, special Aunt & Uncle Mary and Joseph Lucak; cousins Rev. Deacon Dennis and Helen Lucak.
Surviving are her husband Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rade Merick; two sons Nicholas Merick and Dr. Michael (Megan) Merick; cousins Maribeth Lucak and Lynda Kostura; numerous other relatives, kumovi and friends.
Visitation 4-8 p.m. on Monday, June 13, at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church, 528 North Fourth Street, Steubenville, Ohio. Pomen service there at 6 p.m. Funeral service will be at the church on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. following the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. (visitation one half hour prior).
On Wednesday, visitation at St. Sava Orthodox Cathedral, 6306 Broadview Road, Parma, OH 44134, from 11 a.m. until noon services. Interment immediately following at St. Theodosius Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Resurrection Church; Monastery New Marcha in Richfield, Ohio or FOCUS Cleveland-St. Herman House.
May her memory be eternal!
Arrangements are under the direction of Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Road, Wintersville, OH 43953
09/03/2024
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09/03/2024
Lindsay Zobenica
Dear Kum Proto, my prayers join yours for blessed repose in Christ of the wonderful Handmaid of God Donna, in light and peace. And i lift up your name, also Nicholas, Michael, Megan, Maribefh, and Lynda, for consolation in the All-Holy Trinity.With you in heart tomorrow, and in person Wednesday,Lindsay
09/03/2024
Darleen Licina Tubbs
Memory Eternal to a lovely lady and wonderful Protinica. And to Proto Rade and your loving family, may our dear Lord ease your sorrow. Raymond & Darleen (Licina) TubbsMonroeville, PA
09/03/2024
09/03/2024
Peter Pavkovich
Proto Rade and family,We pray that God will grant you the peace that passes all understanding. Vjecnaja PamjatPeter and Donna PavkovichPeter
09/03/2024
09/03/2024
Protinica Zagorka Zorine Sokolovic
Our sincere condolences to Fr Rade and family. May Gods comfort be upon all of youWe will miss + Protinica Donnas warm and friendly Hello, her inviting hospitality and love towards children ️and ChurchVjecan joj Spomen i Rajsko Naselje️Memory Eternal️ Sokolovic-Damljanovic Families
09/03/2024
Lynnbusic@hotmail.com
Our dear Protinica Donna...words cannot express the depth of the sadness I feel with you passing. My memory of you will truly be eternal....Your smile, your soft voice, your beautiful pure eyes...I hope you knew our love for you at our beloved Holy Resurrection church....You have fallen asleep in the Lord our dear Protinica, and your memory will be eternal.Lynn Busic and family
09/03/2024
Barbara zori
I enjoyed when Protenica Donna would sit next to me at choir and tell me she couldnt sing, yet she could and did!! May her memory be eternal and may God comfort Proto Rade and family.️
09/03/2024
J.Pavichevich
Sincere condolences to Fr.Rade and family. May Protinica reside in God's heavenly kingdom.Memory Eternal!Protinica Jovanka Pavichevich and family.
09/03/2024
Mihajlo Pancoe
Please accept my sincerest condolences! May God grant Protinica Memory Eternal and a place in His Heavenly Kingdom! I had the pleasure of serving with Father Rade at our Church, St. Demetrius in Akron, OH. Wonderful people!
09/03/2024
Eileen Sedor
Memory Eternal.Pani/Presvytera Eileen Sedor
09/03/2024
Gordana Trbuhovich
Protinica Donna's soul is being welcomed by my own newly departed mother, to the society of righteous Protinicas, in the Lord's heavenly kingdom. Vjecnaja Pamjat, Bog nek joj dusu prosti.
09/03/2024
Protinica Roberta Yonitch & Family
May God be close to Protostavrophor Rade, sons, and family during this difficult time. May God bring comfort to all who mourn the loss of Protinica Donna's earthly life and pray for a merciful judgement of her soul. Until we meet again in God's glorious Kingdom rest in peace faithful handmade of God and may her Memory be Eternal!
09/03/2024
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