Merrie Louise Buchanan Salas Johnson, a native of Lodi, and long term resident of this area, passed away Saturday morning, August 23, 2008, in a Davis hospital at the age of 83. Born September 19, 1924, in Lodi, California, she was the daughter of Dr. Robert Buchanan, Sr, and his wife, Edith A. (Barbee) Buchanan, a registered nurse. Dr. Buchanan established the Buchanan Sanitarium and Hospital at 408 East Pine Street in Lodi around 1910. Merrie Lou grew up in the family home next door and spent many childhood days with her parents in the hospital setting, assisting the nurses and doctors, helping patients, and spending countless hours sitting on a tall stool in the hospital's kitchen watching and learning culinary skills from Mrs. Oral Blohm, the cook.She attended Lodi Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School, graduated from the Lodi Academy, and attended the church's La Sierra University in Southern California. In the early 1940's she married Benjamin A. Salas of Sacramento who was serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. They made their first home in Kingman, Arizona where he was stationed. Their son, Larry, was born there.When Ben was discharged they moved to Lodi where Merrie Lou actively managed the Buchanan Hospital with her mother, Edith. During this time, she and Ben were blessed with the birth of a second child, a daughter, Karen. Later, the hospital was sold, and, for a time, the family moved to Aptos where Ben was employed. Returning to the Lodi area, Merrie Lou went to work for the Lodi School District. During this time, the family moved to nearby Galt, where she lived during her children's teenage years. In the later 1960's, she moved to Sacramento and worked as a medical assistant. In1967, she married Sacramento physician, Richard Johnson, M.D. During those years she was an active participant in the Sacramento Medical Auxiliary. Merrie Lou was a wonderful cook, and astute businesswoman. Active and energetic, kind and thoughtful, she was always generous and helpful to others. In her last years when her health failed, she was lovingly cared for in their homes by her children and later by her grandchildren and their families.Merrie was preceded in death by her daughter Karen Louise Salas Keller in 2006. She leaves to mourn her passing: her son, Larry Salas and his wife, Tammie, of Coarsegold, CA; grandchildren: Keith Keller and wife Diana of Pleasanton, CA; Gina (Keller) McGregor and husband James of Woodland; Robby Fenton and wife Rebecca of Fairbanks, Alaska; great grandchildren: Amanda Marie McGregor, Cheyenne McGregor, and Rylee Fenton. She is also survived by her former husband, Dr. Richard Johnson, and his daughters: Ellen, Vickie, Betty, and Carolyn. In addition, she leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who loved her dearly.Visitation will be held at Lodi Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 27, from8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 11 a.m, in the chapel of Lodi Funeral Home, 725 S. Fairmont Avenue in Lodi, with interment to follow in Cherokee Memorial Park. Robert Williams, former pastor of the English Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lodi will officiate.