Darrell Philip Merkley |
| Posted 2010-10-19 by Sharla |
| The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ March 12, 2007 Darrell Philip Merkley died at home surrounded by family following a battle with pneumonia Feb. 5, 2007. Darrell was born Oct. 2, 1919, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lavern and Daisy Merkley. He graduated from high school in Mesa. Darrell helped build a highway in Costa Rica during World War II, returning to Arizona to marry the girl of his dreams, Betty Lou Collins, in 1944. They operated a sawmill in Arizona during their early marriage, but after visiting family in Oregon in 1948, they chose to settle and raise their family. His two children, Linda Jean and Jeffrey Alan, were born in 1954 and 1956. He was very involved in his children's lives, coaching baseball, racing quarter midgets, and camping and hiking. Darrell loved to sail and enjoyed many adventures on the Columbia River and the lakes of Oregon and Washington. During his autumn years, his five grandchildren were the light of his life. Darrell is survived by Betty, his wife of 62 years. He is also survived by his daughter Linda, (John); his son, Jeff (Mary); five grandchildren: Erin, Lauren, and Stefan Stelzenmueller and Jonathan and Brynne Merkley; sister LaVerne Heiden; brother John; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother Alton, and sisters Mabel, Theona, Velma and Rose. |
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