Rev. William Eugene Merki
The Rev. William Eugene Merki, 81, died Jan. 19, 2017, at Clary Grove Nursing Home in Martinsburg, W. Va. A funeral service was held Jan. 22 at Otterbein UMC in Martinsburg with the Rev. Mark C. Mooney officiating.
William Eugene Merki was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Norristown, Pa., the son of the late Paul and Lea Widmyer Merki.
He was ordained an Elder in 1974.
Merki began his ministerial career in 1963 in the Central Pennsylvania Conference. He transferred into the Baltimore-Washington Conference in 1968 and served First UMC in Cumberland; he then went to Fort Washington from 1974-76. From 1976 to 1985, his appointment was to Hancock, then the Alpine Charge for four years. He served Davis Memorial-Otterbein 1989-1996, then Davis Memorial-McKendree for a year. In 1997 he was appointed to Otterbein UMC in Martinsburg and remained until his retirement in 2001.
He was preceded in death by a son, Craig A. Merki.
He is survived by his wife, Sheril Darlene McCoy Merki; two sons, Scott E. Merki and wife, Medea, and Timothy P. Merki and wife, Heidi; one daughter, Lori K. Isiminger and husband, Chip; nine grandchildren; and 12 greatgrandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to Sheril Merki, 363 Universe Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404-3496.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 200906011 or Martinsburg Union Rescue Mission, PO Box 843, Martinsburg, WV 25402.