Cheryl Ferstl Merchant

            On Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the age of 76 years, Cheryl Ferstl Merchant will take her final ride on a horse drawn caisson, which will be driven by her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter. She will be carried to her final resting place where she will join her beloved husband, Robert, for her eternal rest. She passed peacefully at home on February 26, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.

            Cheryl Ferstl Merchant was born on August 20, 1947, in Fort Worth, Texas to John Michael “Mike” Ferstl and Mary Frances Cope Ferstl. 

 At a very young age, Cheryl gained a love for animals of all kinds. From horses to exotic animals, Cheryl raised and loved many different types of animals. Cheryl had an extreme love for horses. When she was in her early teens, she received her first horse…. But it was a mule. She told stories of how she loved that mule and how many lessons were learned from that mule. In high school, she finally purchased her first horse. She was a member of the Tip Top Riding Club during high school and competed in many speed events with her horse. 

 It was through horses that she met her first husband, George Palmer. They were married in 1969. Together, they raised and showed Appaloosa and Quarter horses for over 30 years. She and her family raised and owned World and National champion Appaloosa horses. She was a member of the ApHC (American Appaloosa Horse Club) and the Texas Appaloosa Horse Club. They divorced in 1992. 

Cheryl began her professional career in the family furniture manufacturing and upholstery business, Ferstl, Inc. She worked in many different aspects of the business. From there, she worked with the Fort Worth Zoo, spending time educating children on the importance of conservation and care for God’s creatures. 

In 1997, Cheryl met Robert Merchant, a Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputy. They were the perfect pair. They married on January 4, 1999. 

It was through Robert that she found the career that was most important to her. She began her career as a detention officer for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. She began with Tarrant County in June of 1998 and worked her way through the ranks to retire as a Sergeant Detention Officer. She retired December 16, 2012. Through the TCSO, she made many friends that lasted a lifetime.

After her and Robert’s retirement, they moved to Bowie, Texas where they began raising miniature Hereford cattle and making new friends. Cheryl’s joy was raising these miniature Herefords. She loved the Spring and Fall when the baby calves would arrive. She would sit in the pasture for long periods of time, just enjoying the view of her herd and taking in God’s beautiful scenery.

Cheryl was preceded in death by preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wayne Merchant, her parents, John Michael "Mike" Ferstl and Mary Frances Ferstl and her sister Michaeleen Toler.

Cheryl is survived by her daughters Michelle Aduddell and Patrick Wilson, Georgia Cartwright and husband, Alan, stepdaughters Gloria Lynn Bradford Rice and Kim Watkins and stepsons George William “Buddy” Palmer and Rick Merchant, her grandchildren, Jasie Hatcher and husband Andy, Wyatt Wilson and one precious great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her sister, Diana Stockdale, brother-in-law, Ray Toler, many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends that meant the world to her.

Grave side services will be held on March 9, 2024, 11 a.m. at:

Cope Cemetery

2722 County Road 528 (also known as Dave Angel Road)

Burleson, Tx.