Merkel, Richard A. 'Rick'

Richard A. “Rick” Merkel, 54, of Walker, died at his home Tuesday, April 10, 2012, following a lengthy illness. A Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Jesup, with inurnment at a later date. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, at White Funeral Home, Jesup, where there will be a 5:30 p.m. rosary and 7 p.m. vigil service.

He was born Dec. 12, 1957, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Robert Arthur Merkel and Patricia Marguerite McGrath. He graduated from Jesup High School, Jesup, with the class of 1976. Rick was employed the past 21 years by the city of Marion as a supervisor in waste management and recycling. He had also worked at John Deere, Bremwood Lutheran Home, and as a heavy equipment operator for road construction.

He was an avid outdoorsman and was known for his dog training ability. He especially enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his parents, Robert and Patricia Merkel of Jesup; sister, Kathleen (Tom) Perry of Mount Pleasant; brothers, Daniel (Christine) Merkel of Shell Rock and Randall (Teresa) Merkel of Independence; and nieces and nephews, including Kim (Graham) Hott of Marion and Adam (Jennifur) Merkel of Cedar Rapids.

Memorial donations will be directed to a charity to further Rick's love for children.

Online condolences may be made to www.White-MtHope.com

Published April 12, 2012 in The Gazette