
Merrick R. Estridge
October 22, 1972 - November 17, 2018
Obituary
OREGON/MADISON-Merrick Reighart Estridge, age 46, of Oregon, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on October 22, 1972, in San José, Costa Rica, the son of Marco Antonio Estrada Gomez and Clara Cruz Castillo Cermeño De Estrada of La Antigua, Guatemala. Merrick worked for WPS Insurance for ten years. He loved travelling the world and served on the Spirit ship and Caribbean Mercy ship; both missionary ships which provided medical services, supplies and training for residents of the communities visited. He was proud to become a U.S. citizen (June 12, 2008) and had a love for U.S. history and national parks. Merrick found a home church at Monona Oaks and volunteered at the Wednesday night program (AWANA), which his daughter participated in. He was an avid UW Badgers fan and loved going to UW women’s hockey games with his daughter, Sophie. Merrick and Sophie travelled extensively throughout the United States with the desire to visit all 50 States. His life goal was to create memories and traditions with his daughter who was his pride and joy. Merrick is survived by his parents, Marco Antonio Estrada Gomez and Clara Cruz Castillo Cermeño De Estrada; daughter, Sophie Estridge; Sophie’s mother, Jen Zimmerman; brother, Marco and his wife, Ana Luisa Estrada; sisters, Maria De Los Angeles Estrada Castillo and Norma Francisca Estrada Castillo; former grandparents-in-law, John and Nancy Hilliard; and close friend, Wil Hoxie. Merrick is also survived by life-long friends and adopted U.S. family members, Muriel Mizelle Raker of Snead’s Ferry, NC and her daughters, Elizabeth Victoria Pawlik of Winterville, NC and Gwendolyn Mitchell of Englewood Colorado. He was preceded in death by LTC Harry Raker. A Memorial Service will be held at MONONA OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH, 6200 Monona Dr., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2018. A luncheon will follow with food and fellowship amongst friends and family. Click on Gofundme link below for memorial contributions to the family to establish a scholarship fund for Sophie:
Go Fund Me
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
608-221-5420
Español
OREGON/MADISON-Merrick Reighart Estridge, 46 años de edad, de Oregon Wisconsin, a fallecido el día Sábado 17 de Noviembre del 2018 en Agrace HospiceCare. El Nació el 22 de Octubre, 1972, en San José, Costa Rica, hijo de Marco Antonio Estrada Gomez y Clara Cruz Castillo Cermeño De Estrada de La Antigua, Guatemala. Merrick trabajo para WPS Insurance por 10 años. El amaba viajar por el mundo y sirvió en el barco Spirit y el barco Caribbean Mercy; Ambos barcos misioneros los cuales proveen servicios médicos, suministros/provisiones y entrenamiento para residentes de las comunidades visitadas. Merrick estaba orgulloso de haber obtenido su ciudadanía estadounidense en 12 de junio del 2008, el era amante de la historia de Estados Unidos y sus parques Nacionales. Merrick se congregaba en una iglesia local en Monona Oaks y era voluntario de el programa de los Miércoles por la noche conocido por sus siglas (AWANA), en la cual su hija participaba. Merrick era apasionado de los UW-Badgers, era fanático y amaba asistir a los juegos de UW hockey (mujeres) acompañado de su hija Sophie. Merrick y Sophie acostumbraban a hacer largos viajes por los Estados Unidos con el deseo de visitar los 50 Estados. El anhelo de Merrick era crear memorias y tradiciones con su hija quien fue su más grande orgullo y gozo.
Su sensible fallecimiento lo participan sus padres, Marco Antonio Estrada Gomez y Clara Cruz Castillo Cermeño De Estrada; su hija Sophie Estridge, Jen Zimmerman madre de Sophie, su hermano Marcó y su esposa Ana Luisa Estrada; sus hermanas, Maria De Los Ángeles Estrada Castillo y Norma Francisca Estrada Castillos; sus Ex-suegros, John & Nancy Hilliard; y su amigo/hermano Wil Hoxie. También lo participan sus amigos de la vida y su familia adoptiva en Estados Unidos, Muriel Mizelle Raker de Snead’s Ferry, NC, sus hijas, Elizabeth Victoria Pawlik de Winterville, NC and Gwendolyn Mitchell de Englewood Colorado. Fue precedido en la muerte por LTC Harry Raker. El Servicio Memorial se llevará acabo en MONONA OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH, 6200 Monona Dr., Monona, Wisconsin a las 11:00 am. el Sábado 24 de Noviembre, 2018. Seguido de un tiempo para acompañarnos entre familia y amigos y un almuerzo en su memoria.
Las ofrendas y contribuciones serán para que la familia establezca fondos para la educación de Sophie. (Haz click en el link).
Go Fund Me
condolencias en línea a través de www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
608-221-5420
Events
Memorial Service
Sat Nov 24, 2018 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Monona Oaks Community Church • 6200 Monona Dr., Monona, WI 53716
Photos

Memories
NR
Nathan Redman
Other •
Anytime you saw Merrick he was always smiling. He was such a great guy. Anyone that ever talked to Merrick knew that he adored his daughter. She was his everything. Merrick will be missed. Prayers to the family and Sophia. This was a video Merrick sent me of his last trip with his daughter.
CW
Cyndy White
Other •
Estridge Family, so sorry about your loss. So often Merrick would talk about all of the adventures he and Sophie had together and would have together. It was always great to see the sparkle in his eyes when he would share all of the fun things they would do. Sophie, so sorry about your daddy. He loves you very much and was ALWAYS so proud of you. The rest of the family, so sorry for your loss as well. There are many stories, and adventures he had with all of you. Keep the warm memories close. He is home and will be waiting with open arms to see you all again someday. For now, he’s dancing for Jesus.
AH
Anna Herendeen
Other •
Merrick adored Sophie. He loved to travel and experience life. He will be missed greatly. Rest in Peace. We'll take it from here.
AH
Anna Herendeen
Other •
Shared a photo.

MA
Marty Alstad
Other •
We are gonna miss seeing you at Hockey games and practices. Rest easy my friend.
DS
Denise Stanley
Other •
I was lucky to work with Merrick as he helped with our remote workers. We shared the same joy in visiting parks across the country and I so enjoyed hearing about his trips with Sophie. He was truly a wonderful person. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May your memories comfort you as you grieve this terrible loss.