John Merkley

John Merkley Of Liberty Ward Bishopric Dies. Largest Crowd of People Ever Assembled in Tridell Pay Tribute to Memory of Their Beloved Neighbor and Friend.

On Saturday, February 2, at the setting of the sun, John Merkley passed away at his home in Tridell after suffering from pneumonia for a period of ten days. All that could be done to relieve the sufferer and restore him to health was done, but without avail.

On December 28, 1922, Mr. Merkley while crossing with a team of horses at the Whiterocks Canal above Tridell, had his leg broken which later caused him great pain and a long spell of illness. Only recently was it possible to get around with our crutches.

On Monday, before becoming ill, he helped put in windows and doors to a house being built by the Tridell folks to help along a widow woman, and this labor of love was his last public service.

John Merkley was a man, beloved by all who knew him. Among the many noble charasteristics of his nature are kindness, sympathy for the distressed and an ever ready helping hand for those in need. He was a devoted husband and a tender, affectionate father and a staunch friend of humanity. Those who knew him best, loved him most.

Mr. Merkley was the first counselor in the Liberty Ward Bishopric of which he had been a member since the ward was organized. He was born at Cedar Fort, Utah, August 27, 1874, the son of Nelson and Sarah J. Sanders Merkley. The family were among the pioneer settlers of Ashley Valley coming to Vernal in 1878 and settling in Maeser Ward. In 1895, he married Nellie Bartlett of Vernal. They have had born to them ten children, one of whom died in babyhood.

Surviving the deceased are his wife and sons, Bart, Golden, Clyde, Charles, Loyal, Gene, and daughters, Mrs. Modena Smith, Nelda and Neida Merkley, his mother, Mrs. Sarah Merkley of Vernal, 62 years old, and six brothers, Nelson, George D., William B., Charles A., all of Vernal; C.E., Duchesne; Henry, Gusher; three sisters, Mrs. W. P. Coltharp, Mrs. George F. Britt, both of Vernal; Mrs. Henry Hall of Wellington, Utah. All were at the funeral.

The funeral was held at Tridell on Tuesday, February 5th, at 10 a.m. under the auspices of the bishopric of the Liberty Ward, Bishop Horace Morrill presiding. The funeral was attended by the largest concourse of people ever assembled in the history of the ward. Carloads of relatives and friends from different parts of the country and state came to be in attendance at the services.

The speakers were Bishop Morrill, A.M. Lyman, H. LeRoy Morrill and President Ernest Eaton. All spoke touchingly and almost reverently of the pure, upright, manly character of the deceased and expressed the united sentiment that though we have been called to mourn his loss all is well with such a man. Beautiful music was furnished by a special double quartet.

The interment was in the Vernal Cemetery and a long cortege accompanied them to the cemetery, leaving at 12 noon.

At Vernal they were met by a large crowd of sympathetic friends, many of whom had been boyhood comrades of Mr. Merkley and all of whom are numbered with those who desired to express words of sympathy and consolation to the bereaved family.

The invocation was pronounced by A.W. Nebeker of Lapoint, and benediction by Ray McKee. President Wallace Calder of Vernal dedicated the grave.

Vernal Express, February 8, 1924