Merritt_Barbara_Arita_Black_19 September, 1931
Barbara Arita Black Merritt passed away April 20, 2010. She was born in Malad, Idaho on September 19, 1931 to Donald Clisbee and Arita Stout Black. She attended BYU for a short time. She was married first to Wilbert Ray Bentley. She later married Venley G. Merritt. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was talented at singing (alto), painting landscapes and enjoyed reading. She lived a life that required patience and courage, living 40 years with severe, crippling arthritis. She was homebound for more than 14 years, with the assistance of her late husband, and then with her daughter and several children nearby for over 10 years. She had a very sweet spirit and appreciated anything that was done for her. We are so grateful she is now free of her painful, crippled body and able to dance in heaven with family and friends.
Barbara is survived by three sons and six daughters; Amy Bentley, Bill (Lianne) Bentley, April (Bart) Johnson, Laura Bentley and Cliff (Dana) Bentley, Kathy (Dan) Goettle, Karen Paavola, Sharla Freeman and Udell (Gayle) Merritt; brother Reed Black; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Venley; and siblings Ray, Mary, Emily and Fochia.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2010 at the Provo, Utah Sunset Stake Chapel, 1560 South 1100 West, Provo. Friends may call at the church from 12:30-1:45 p.m prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City cemetery. Condolences may be emailed to info@bergmortuary.com