Joan Meri Hermann Merriken, a woman of remarkable independence, vibrant spirit, and boundless creativity, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Born on July 11, 1937, to Otto Rudolph "Ralph" and Meeri Johanna Elomaa Hermann, Joan lived a life defined by her personal strength and an unwavering love for the world around her. Joan was the embodiment of a self-contained woman. She was steadfast, capable, and deeply rooted in her own convictions. Her professional life as a successful jewelry sales representative was a natural extension of her appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship, understanding its artistry, a passion that stayed with her throughout her life.

Her hands were rarely still. Whether she was tending to her garden, meticulously rug hooking, or sewing her own wardrobe, Joan found joy in the act of creation. Her talents also shone in the kitchen, where she was an exceptional cook and baker, nourishing those she loved with both food and warmth. Perhaps her most ambitious project was the home she designed and oversaw the construction of, nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, creating a sanctuary that reflected her vision and her love for the beauty of the high country.

Joan was a world traveler who possessed a rare sense of adventure. She explored the globe with a curious mind and an open heart, navigating places like China, Panama, Finland, and Puerto Rico. Whether traveling solo or with family, she never met a stranger. Joan loved meeting new people and had a gift for turning fleeting encounters into meaningful connections.

Above all, Joan loved her life and the people in it. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who cherished her friends and family with a quiet, powerful depth.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Otto "Ralph" and Meeri Hermann; her husband, Thomas Merriken; and her beloved granddaughter, Brittany Adkins-Centeno. Her legacy of strength and independence lives on through her children: Liisa Merriken Starkey and her husband Tom of Okeechobee, FL; and her son, DeWayne "Travis" Biggs, Jr. and his partner Mona Plavchak of Hollywood, FL. She is also survived by her cherished grandson, Zachary Gullion and his wife Sidnee; grandson-in-law, Cristobal Centeno; and great-grandchildren, Izayiah, Karynah, and Jaykub Centeno, and Elijah, Myles, Dean, and Walker Gullion who will all remember her as a woman who truly knew how to live life to its fullest.

The care of Mrs. Merriken has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.