Murray Merkley Funeral Held Saturday

Funeral Services for Samuel Murray Merkley, 74, were held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Naples Ward Chapel.

Mr. Merkley died suddenly Thursday of last week at his home in Bountiful.

Prayer at the mortuary was given by Earl Leon Oaks, a grandson. Prelude and postlude music was played by Oris Pope.

Mr. and Mrs. Glade Sowards sang "Sometime We'll Understand," accompanied by Mable Stagg.

Invocation was given by Oscar Lee Walker, a grandson. A short history was read by Kay Merkley, also a grandson. Carwin Snow sang, "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine," accompanied by Marie P. Hatch.

Bishop Orlo Goodrich was the first speaker. This was followed by an address by J. Ross Merrell, member of the Uintah Stake Presidency and a close member of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Sowards then sang "Beyond the Sunset," accompanied by Mrs. Stagg. Boyd Price, a son-in-law, gave the benediction.

Dee L. Manwaring dedicated the grave. Burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers were six grandsons, Charles A. Walker, B. Dennis Price, David E. Merkley, Darwin L. Oaks, Alvin O. (Skip) Merkley and Hiram E. Reynolds.

Mr. Merkley was born September 25, 1890 in Vernal, a son of Charles Albert and Mary Murray Merkley. Their home was in or near the later known as Old Ashley.

On July 20, 1910, he married Lauretta Henry in Vernal. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on April 9, 1935. The Uintah Basin has been their home most of the time though they lived some time in Arizona, Clearfield, and Little America, Wyoming, coming back to Jensen in 1945. they made their home in Naples from 1952 to 1960, since which time they have been living in Bountiful.

Survivors include his widow, 8 children, Mrs. Floyd O. (Hilda) Reynolds, and Mrs. Grant (Dora) Ottley, both of Vernal; Earl H. Merkley, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Asael O. (Lois) Walker and Mrs. Martin L. (Grace) Oaks, both of Vernal; Lynn A. Merkley Ogden; Ezra B. Merkley, Layton; and Mrs. Boyd (Mary) Price, Vernal. They have 40 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.

Six of his ten brothers and sisters also survive, Sidney Merkley and Ward Merkley, both of Vernal; Mrs. Horton (Emaline) Varley and Mrs. Clyde (Clara) Nelson, both of Salt Lake City; Mrs. George (Gertrude) Britt and Mrs. Sarah Engberson, Oakland, California.

-Vernal Express, December 10, 1964, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

Children not listed below: Lois Merkley