Charles Glen Merkley, age 71, passed away at home Jan. 5, 2008. He was born to Joseph N. and Luella Swensen Merkley in Vernal, June 3, 1936. He was married to Charlene Freestone on Nov. 3, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Glen served in various capacities in the LDS Church, including elders quorum president, high priest group, and as a Vernal LDS Temple worker. He served with his wife on two missions for the church: the Cove Fort, Utah and the Vernal Cannery Missions. He served in the Utah National Guard for eight years. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts of America's scout camp "High Uintah Scout Camp." He was a self-employed businessman.
Glen is survived by wife, Charlene Freestone Merkley; children, Reid G. (Ann) Merkley of North Salt Lake; B. Joe (Cheryl) Merkley of Cottonwood Heights; Kent C. (Patrice) Merkley of Vernal; Vernon R. (Tami) Merkley of Vernal; Dale J. Merkley of Taylorsville; Chad P. (Janet) Merkley of Pleasant View; Max L. (Michelle) Merkley of Vernal; brother, Rell T. (Kathleen) Merkley of Vernal; sisters, Carma (Earl) Markam of Salt Lake City; Echo (Frank) Allen of Vernal; Joella (Reid) Goodrich of Tridell; sister-in-law, Tharon (Mrs. Tad) of Vernal; Valina (Mrs. Roland) of Vernal; Alice F. Hall of Vernal; 26 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Glen is preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Luella Merkley; brothers, J. Arvid Merkley, Tad B. Merkley, Roland L. Merkley, Keith Merkley, and Jimmy Garr Merkley; sister, Irene Adams; sister-in-law, Oral H. Merkley; brothers-in-law, Denzil Adams and James Walsh; daughter-in-law, Sheryl G. Merkley.
Funeral Service will be Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Maeser Stake Center. Friend may call at the mortuary on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday one hour prior to service. Burial in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of Thomson-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.
-Vernal Express, Jan. 9, 2008