Mrs. Merry Carol Houchard, 73, died Feb. 19. She was born Dec. 25, 1939 in Berwyn, Ill., to Lyle J. Filek, DDS and Irene Kirch Filek. Mrs. Houchard is survived by her husband of 51 years, Michael H. Houchard, her daughter and son-in-law Christina C. Miller and Allan L. Miller, her grandson Ethan A. Miller and her step-mother Norma Anderson.

She graduated from Clearwater High School in Florida, then went on to Wesleyan College and later the University of Florida. She was a member of the Phi Mu Greek society. It was at the University of Florida that she met her husband Michael and they were wed in 1962. They lived in Miami, Fla., for some time, then came to the Atlanta, area. They moved to the family farm in Conyers in 1970.

Mrs. Houchard was very active with purebred dogs. She won many local and national awards with her Great Danes. She also competed with her Vizslas, Papillion, Dalmatians and Canaan Dogs. She was a member and former officer of the Conyers Kennel Club. She was also a member of the Atlanta Kennel Club, Great Dane Club of America, Great Dane Club of the Mid-South and the Canaan Dog Club of America.

She was a 4-H volunteer for more than 30 years, was a charter member of the Conyers-Rockdale Humane Society, and more recently served on the board of Rockdale County Animal Control. She also served on the local development committee for the Georgia International Horse Park. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 East Girard Ave, Suite B430, Denver, CO 80231.

Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on today, March 2, in the Chapel of Wheeler Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. before the service.

The Rockdale News, March 2, 2013