Donald E. Merkley

Donald E. Merkley, age 67 of Anna, died at 10:40 pm, Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at his home. He was born on January 16, 1944 in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Vic and Selma (Freidman) Merkley. Don married Elizabeth Goetz on December 27, 1976 in Jonesboro. He proudly served his country in the United States Army in the Vietnam conflict from 1966 to 1968. Don received his bachelor's degree in psychology from SIU Carbondale and then received his master's degree in social work at the University of Washington. He retired after 30 years of working as an L.C.S.W. and administrator at the Choate Developmental Center. Don was honored to care for the population he served. Don is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Merkley of Anna; four daughters, Brooke Merkley Miller and husband Randy and their children, Grant and Asher Miller of Anna, Carrie Merkley Wyss and husband Robb and their children, Hayden, Simon and Sam Wyss of Springfield, Hope Merkley Jahn and son, Phoenix Jahn of Cobden and Lydia Merkley Truitt and husband Dan and their daughter, Nora Truitt of Jonesboro; one brother, Jim Merkley of Dupo; two sisters, Carol Stolz of Alto Pass and Betty Merkley of Murphysboro, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services for Mr. Don Merkley will be conducted on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm at the Salem Lutheran Church in Jonesboro with the Pastor David Eidson officiating. Friends may call at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna on Thursday, October 6, from 5 until 8:00 pm and at Salem Lutheran Church from 12:00 pm until the funeral hour at 1:00 pm. Burial will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Marion and the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the VFW of Anna. In Lieu of flowers the family requested memorial contributions may be made in memory of Don Merkley to the St. Francis Foundation, 211 St. Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703.