Comments:
President and Sister Merkley are well and thrilled with life and would very happily receive mail, email, or phone calls from any of their missionaries.
President Merkley's Obituary
MERKLEY, Calvin G. Calvin Gibb Merkley, a long-time resident of Edmonton, Alberta died peacefully at the age of 91 on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital in Edmonton. He is survived by his wife Verona, his children Larry (Bev), DiAnn Hirsche (Bruce) and Al (Jeri), by 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.Cal was born on August 15, 1916 in Magrath, Alberta. He was the youngest and sole surviving member from a family of nine children born to Alva and Jehzell Merkley; pioneers who met each other and settled in Magrath. Cal completed high school in Magrath; Normal School in Calgary; a B.Sc. at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; a M.Ed. at the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana; and he completed course work toward a doctorate at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Cal's adult working life was entirely devoted to public service in education and to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his career as a teacher in Hutterville and Stirling, Alberta; he served as a teacher and principal at the Cardston High School; for 10 years he was a Superintendent of Schools for the Province of Alberta working in Hythe, Athabasca and then Cardston; and he served with distinction for 15 years as Chairman of Alberta's Student Assistance Branch and Student Finance Board. He concluded his working career providing research support at NAIT which included an overseas project in Zambia. Cal distinguished himself in church service as an instructor, a member of High Councils, a District President, and as a Bishop in Edmonton. With Verona he served a full-time mission in Wales, then as Mission President in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served his remaining years as a temple worker and sealer in the Chicago, Seattle, Cardston and Edmonton temples. Cal will be remembered by many former students who like to talk about his remarkably engaging teaching style. He loved sports, in particular basketball and baseball; and he coached the Cardston High School basketball team to a long-remembered provincial championship. He also loved music, and encouraged his children and grandchildren to develop their artistic and musical talents. Working quietly and often anonymously, Cal was instrumental in assisting many people to find meaningful association with his church, and he provided financial assistance for several young people desiring to serve full-time missions for the church. Cal is a widely respected and deeply loved member of his church and community, and he will be missed by his family and the literally hundreds of people he has influenced throughout his life. Services for Cal will be held at the Riverbend Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14325 - 53 Avenue, Edmonton on Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m. To sign the book of condolences visit www.glenwoodmemorial.com |
