Edward W. Merkel Jr.'s Obituary
Edward W. Merkel Jr., age 83 of Batesville, died Friday, January 8, 2010, at St. Andrew’s Health Campus in Batesville. Born August 6, 1926 in Ripley County Indiana, he is the son of Emma (Nee: Timmerman) and Edward Merkel Sr. He married Anne Krieger September 8, 1956 in Yorkville, Indiana and she preceded him in death on August 31, 1996. Ed served in the army between World War II and the Korean War. After the service, he spent 12 years with the Atomic Energy Commission and then spent the next 30 years with the Hill-Rom Company as the Model Shop Technician and Service Manager. He was a member of St. Louis Church.Ed enjoyed many diverse interests. Growing up on a farm, he helped with many of the daily chores which grew into a lifetime love of farming. As an adult, he continued to return to the family farm to help. Like most farm kids, he grew up hunting. His daughter recalled “going with dad rabbit hunting as a young girl.” The family also remembers dad being pretty good at horseshoes. Ed for many, many years would put in a huge garden and liked to share his excess bounty with friends and neighbors. Faith was also very important to him. He often attended daily services and for over 30 years he was a fixture during set up week for the church festival until health issues prevented him from continuing. Ed was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor and who cherished spending time with family. At Merkel family get togethers, he could be found at the table for a spirited game of cards which was usually 500. As much as he loved the Merkel fun and festivities, his true passion was his grandchildren. He and Anne were frequent visitors to their daughters to enjoy time spent with the grandkids and also liked attending their activities whether it was football, softball or school functions.Ed is survived by his daughters Joan Cossell of Carmel, Indiana, Jane Miller of Florence, South Carolina and formerly of Indianapolis; sister Loretta Bedel of Morris, Indiana; grandchildren Christina Cossell, Maria Cossell, Charles Cossell, Anthony Cossell Jr. and Adam Miller as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he is also preceded in death by sister Edna Retzner and brothers Urban, Frederick, Martin, Paul and Herman Merkel and A. Anthony Etter.Visitation is Monday, January 11th, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home with a rosary service at 4 p.m. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 12th, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Bernard Varghese officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to Oldenburg Academy or St. Louis Schools’ Tuition Angel Program.
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