Merlene Merkley Obituary (1933 - 2017)

Merlene Davis Merkley, 83, passed away on October 7, 2017 in Murray, Utah. Merlene was born in Vernal, Utah to Harold E. and Freda Sainsbury Davis on December 1, 1933. She graduated from Uintah High School in 1951 as Valedictorian. She attended the University of Utah majoring in business for two years. She married Bryce Asher Merkley, her high school sweetheart, on June 5, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed to have 4 children and she considered her calling as a mother, a privilege and a sacred responsibility. She dedicated her life to raising her children and supporting her husband throughout 64 years of marriage. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she held many positions including ward Relief Society President (one of her favorite callings). She served as a teacher or counselor in the Primary, Relief Society and Mutual organizations, and she shared her talents in music through various callings, which brought her much joy and satisfaction. Merlene and Bryce also served an office mission in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Merlene was an avid reader, loving biographies of famous people and outstanding church members. She had an insatiable desire to learn and a voracious curiosity for maps, world geography and current events. She has belonged to Amicae Librae Book Club since 1965 and was a member of DUP Gardner’s Mill Camp serving as captain for 4 years. She was the quintessential scribe and record keeper for the family, and also kept records for many others, as her pen and pad were busy in sacrament meetings, funerals, baby blessings, etc. She maintained her shorthand in order to take better notes and especially as she served as Stake and ward historian. Early in her marriage she also used her office skills working for the R.L. Manning Drilling Co. (a job she truly loved). She is survived by her husband, Bryce A. Merkley, her children Janette Gould (Wayne), Richard D. (Amy), Reed L. (Debra), and Marilyn Duncan (Trent), 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, two sisters Elaine Lowe, and Catherine Harrison (Val). She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Edward H. Davis. The viewing will be held Friday, October 13, 2017 from 6-8 pm in the Millstream Ward located at 3400 South 1100 East. The funeral will be held at the same location on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30-10:30. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in the Rosemont Section at 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Perpetual Education Fund or the LDS Humanitarian Fund. Online condolences may be submitted at www.jenkins-soffe.com.