Verlin Charles Merkel, Sr.

Verlin C. Merkel, Sr., age 76, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from metastatic prostate cancer surrounded by his loving family in Crestview, Florida. He was born September 28, 1948 in Hartford City, Indiana to Albert and Lucille (Nordhoff) Merkel. Verlin retired as a MSgt from the United States Air Force after twenty-seven and a half years, making lifelong friends along the way. He enjoyed watching television, playing cards, traveling, making rosaries, and woodworking. Verlin crafted beautiful kitchen cabinets, tables, bookcases, china cabinets, clocks, lamps, photo frames, wall sconces and wooden lawn ornaments. His family, after his love for God, was loved unconditionally. He enjoyed special relationships with his in-laws on both sides of the family. Verlin considered his three children his greatest accomplishments and his grandchildren and Abby (his Yorkie) his greatest joys. Time spent with family was treasured. 

Verlin is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Hunter Wade Norris; brothers, Gerald and Gerard; sister, Mollie Jo Johnson; and brother-in-law, Ralph Lee Willette.  

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of fifty-six years, Mary Lou (Myrick) Merkel; his three children, Verlin Merkel,II (Karen), Jason Merkel (Michelle), and Angela Norris (Wade); eight grandchildren, Hannah Merkel, Tyler Merkel, Joshua Merkel, DJ Carpenter, Kaitlynn Carpenter, Marissa Merkel, Erin Sasser (Jordan), and Riley Norris; one brother, Albert Merkel, Jr. (Lynne); and three sisters, Karen Hogan (Ron), Linda Willette, and Juleen Hugenberg (Jeffrey).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Verlin Merkel to the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer at https://rallyfoundation.org/fortheirfuture/ or the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 57 at 5296 Hare St., Crestview, FL 32539.  

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 550 Adams Drive, Crestview, Florida 32536 beginning at 11:00 a.m. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior.

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Crestview Memorial of Crestview, Florida.