Thais "Terri" V. Merrick, age 88, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Lakeland Nursing Home in Effingham, Illinois.

Arrangements are being held with C&A Pagel Funeral Home in St. Elmo, Illinois. No planned public services by request.

Terri was born on October 10, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Karl and Margarete (Uhlig) Mericka-Veith. She was adopted by the Steve Wright family at the age of 86.  She loved animals, painting, music, and she was an avid reader. She was a truck driver, an airport bus driver, a wing walker, dealer in Vegas, and security guard. Locally, she worked at Walmart, Flying J, receptionist at CEFS and a caregiver for several years.

She is survived her furry "kids", Stella, Troubles, Cue and Rollo. Also, by the Wright family of Beecher City, Illinois; life-long friend, Robert Allocco of Ewa Beach, Hawaii and the Dan Hood Family of St. Elmo, Illinois.