A celebration of her life will be held at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Grace Connection Church, 635 64th Street South, St Petersburg, Florida with Pastor Kelley and Pastor Goldworthy, to officiate
Shirley died at Suncoast Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Melvin Merkel of Largo, Florida. Shirley and Mel met when they were eighteen, married at twenty and have been together since.
Shirley is also survived by her son, Mark Merkel of Hudson, Florida; her daughter, Mary Kay Merkel of St Petersburg, Florida; her two brothers, Robert Blankenburg and his wife, Arlene of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; James Blankenburg and his wife, Patricia of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and her sister, Janice Waldman and her husband, William of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
She was born on July 21, 1932, the first of four siblings. She was a child, a wife, a mother, a dear friend, a secretary, a lover and caretaker of dogs, cats and orchids. She is a member of Grace Connection Church in St Petersburg, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Grace Connection Church Missions, 635 64th Street South, St Petersburg, FL 33707.
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Mel, you and Shirley have been my dear friends since 1968, almost 50 years, and I will miss her deeply, but not as much as you and Mary Kay and Mark will. “Blessed are they that die in the Lord.”
My favorite memory of Shirley is of her teaching me to dive when I was seven. Having just moved to Florida from Pittsburgh, the thought of a pool in your backyard was mind boggling. My prayer for you is one of God’s peace. Shirley’s probably in heaven, keeping my dad organized! God bless all of you!
So very sorry to hear about your loss, Mel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Mel, we are so sorry to hear of your loss of Shirley. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mary Kay, and Mark.
A 50 + year friendship with one of the most loving and generous persons I have ever met. May God grant you Mel, and Mary Kay and Mark strength and comfort in your great loss.
Our deepest and most sincere sympathy on the passing of your wife and Mom. Shirley was a truly kind and wonderful lady. May God bless you today and always. With love and prayers, Robert & Frances Sanchez
Mel: Dorothy and I are most saddened to hear of Shirley’s passing. We have been friends for over fifty years and part of a large and dwindling group of of work related individuals for almost that long. We will offer prayers for both of you. May you be comforted by the memories of a long and fruitful life together. Marv and Dorothy Osborn
My deepest sympathy to Mel, Mark, Mary Kay and your families in the loss of Shirley,
It’s difficult to say good bye to someone like Shirley. She was a great friend to talk to and I trusted her as if she was my own mother. I’ll miss her sweet and gentle spirit in the days to come but I know she’s with our Jesus. As I look at her picture here I can almost hear her giggle. She’s probably thinking these bags are heavy and is it almost time to read my book? I’m honored and blessed to have known your wife and mom. She was and remains to be an inspiration in my life that will never be forgotten. I’m honored to be called friend and my prayer is that the Lord covers and protects you always.
Mel, Mark, Mary Kay. We are both so very saddened to here of Shirley’s passing.
We pray for God to give you strength in the days ahead and know that friends and family will surround you with love during this difficult time.
Thinking of you. With Love, Prayers & Hugs! Chris & Heather Bohmann
We have beautiful memories of Shirley. We came from Milwaukee together, went to Rogate together, and had good times together. I especially remember a weekend in Marathon Fl with Mel, Shirley, Lou and Kass. She will hold a warm spot until I see her again in Heaven.
Dear Mel & Family, we were very sorry to hear of Shirley passing. Know that she is with the Lord. What a beautiful woman she was. May you find comfort in all the cherished memories of her. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Memories are precious as Shirley was. Our families had such good times together; Sanibel vacation, water skiing on Lake Tarpon, boating to Caladesi and many more. We lost touch, but never forgot you. We had so many similar interests to share. Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed by Mel, Mark, and Mary Kay, but also your other family and friends. Love you.
Mel, MaryKay and Mark,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Mel, you and Shirley have been a part of my life for so long. Two memories of Shirley – I still have the pillow/blanket she made for me one Christmas. I got to benefit from Shirley’s ‘craftiness’. Shirley was also in charge of ordering Concordia study bibles at Rogate one time. I clearly remember getting it from her; there was a group camping one weekend at Ft DeSoto. The bibles had come in that week and she brought it to camp.
Love you,
Susan
Mel, it was with great sadness that I heard of your loss of Shirley. We go back many years and all of my memories are good ones, particularly of one of our GEEAA events where we went on a cruise and we convinced Shirley to put a coin in a slot machine and she won — and she walked right out of there never to touch the machine again! My prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Mel and family, We are sorry to hear about the loss of Shirley and will miss her. Our luncheons won’t be the same without her. Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort,
Shirley was a wonderful, sweet, loving neighbor. I loved her sense of humor. Laughing is a wonderful
thing in life and she spread it around her.
We will miss her on our street.
Mel and Family,
Our deepest and most sincere sympathy on the passing of Shirley. May you be comforted by the fond memories of your life together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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