Date of death: 10/4/2011

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1970

Mr. Merkley, 67, died at his home.He was born Jan. 16, 1944, in Evansville, IN, the son of Vic and Selma (Freidman) Merkley.Don married Elizabeth Goetz on Dec. 27, 1976, in Jonesboro.He proudly served his country in the United States Army in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968.Don received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from SIU Carbondale and then received his master’s degree in social work at the University of Washington. He retired after 30 years of working as an LCSW and administrator at the Choate Developmental Center. Don was honored to care for the population he served.Don is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Merkley of Anna; four daughters, Brooke Merkley Miller and husband, Randy, and their children, Grant and Asher Miller of Anna; Carrie Merkley Wyss and husband, Robb, and their children, Hayden, Simon and Sam Wyss of Springfield; Hope Merkley Jahn and son, Phoenix Jahn, of Cobden; and Lydia Merkley Truitt and husband, Dan, and their daughter, Nora Truitt of Jonesboro; one brother, Jim Merkley of Dupo; two sisters, Carol Stolz of Alto Pass and Betty Merkley of Murphysboro; other relatives and many friends.Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery with military rites conducted by Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Marion and the Carroll P. Foster Post 3455 of the VFW of Anna. In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial contributions may be made in memory of Don Merkley to St. Francis Foundation, 211 St. Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.Information obtained from The Southern Illinoisan online, www.thesouthern.com