Virginia Josephine Merrick (nee Dwoznik)

age 87, of LaPorte, IN, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023. Virginia is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, Allen J. Merrick Jr.; children: David Merrick (Orland, IN), Richard (Lisa) Merrick (La Porte, IN) and Rosemarie (Paul) Hessert (Bloomington, IN); and four grandchildren: Andrew, Matthew, Lucy and George. Preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Pearl Dwoznik; sister, Dorothy Dwoznik, brother Ray Dwoznik, and several half-brothers and sisters.

Virginia was an accomplished musician, having been the Drum Major of Hammond High School where she played bassoon and clarinet. After graduating in 1954, she went on to study music at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music on scholarship. She taught baton, accordion, piano and clarinet lessons at Calumet Music Center in Hammond for many decades with her sister Dorothy. She fostered her love for music in her three children. She enjoyed sewing, attending many arts and craft shows and supporting her kids extracurricular activities.

A Visitation will be held from 10:00AM – 12:00PM on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home, 7109 Calumet Ave., HAMMOND, IN. A Service Celebrating Virginia's Life will be held at 12:00PM. Burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond, IN.

Solanpruzinfuneralhome.com