Joe Merkley Funeral Rites Held Monday.

Funeral services were conducted Monday in the Maeser Ward LDS Chapel for Joseph Nelson (Joe) Merkley, 64, who died Friday March 15, at 3 a.m. in the Uintah County Hospital.

Prayer at the mortuary was offered by Victor Bingham. At the chapel prelude and postlude music was rendered by Ruth Jones.

"Whispering Hope: was sung by Glade and Elizabeth Sowards, accompanied by Eloise Adams. The invocation was offered by Harmon S. Sowards. "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine" was sung by Danna Dee Smith and Keith Adams, accompanied by Eloise Adams. Bishop Henry A. Mansfield was the first speaker, he also gave the obituary.

An organ and piano duet "Oh My Father" was played by Ruth Jones and Eloise Adams.

Hyrum Slaugh, former bishop of Davis Ward, was the second speaker followed by a quartet, "Abide With Me" sung by Glade and Elizabeth Sowards, Danna Dee Smith and Keith Adams.

Arza Adams offered the benediction with dedication of the grave by Rell Swenson.

Pallbearers were Barney Goodman, Harvey Taylor, Arden Hacking, Alma Buist, Harold Anderson and Jesse Burke. Honorary pallbearers were the county employees.

Mr. Merkley was born January 3, 1899 in Vernal, a son of Charles A. and Mary L. Murray Merkley. He married to Mary Louella Swenson in the Salt Lake LDS Temple April 3, 1918.

Mr. Merkley served as Uintah County Commisioner for 4 years; County Road foreman several years and was the Ashley Valley watermaster for several years.

Surviving Mr. Merkley are his widow and five sons Arvid, Tad, Roland, Glen and Rell; and four daughters, Irene Adams, Echo Allen, Joella Goodrich, all of Vernal; and Carma Walsh of Salt Lake City, 24 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters; Sidney, Ward, Vernal; Murray, Bountiful; Mrs. Sarah Engberson, Oakland, California; Mrs. Emeline Varley and Mrs. Clara Nelson, Salt Lake City.

Attending the services from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Claude Garringer, Mrs. Kenna Jorgensen, Mr. and Mrs. Rell Swenson, Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Swensen and children, Mr. and Mrs. Golden Merkley, Mrs. Nola Warner, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Tucker and Janice, all of Murray, Utah.

Mildred and Arvin Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Glines, Howard Taylor, Mr.and Mrs. Clyde Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hanchett, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Walsh, Salt Lake City.

Mrs. Sarah Enbgerson, Oakland, California; Mr. and Mrs. Murray Merkley, Bountiful; Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Adams, Sandy; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Merkley, Duchesne; Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Merkley, Layton.

Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Goodrich, Rio Blanco, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. Hyrum Burgess, Roy and Annie Warburon, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Swain, Lapoint; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Houston, Whiterocks; Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Merkley, Dutch John and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Merkley, Tridell.

Burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery.

-Vernal Express, March 21, 1963, transcribed by Rhonda Holton