James Alan Merkle

James Alan Merkle, age 57 passed away Saturday, February 20, 2010 in Weston, Florida. He was born in Farmington, Maine on June 13, 1952 to George H. and Raychel (Woodman) Merkle. He was a machinist by trade, working at several machine shops in Maine, where he also served as a supervisor. He worked at Marden Machine in Mulberry before being disabled with lung problems. He was a 1970 graduate of Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He attended Husson College in Bangor, Maine. He was a member of the Maine Army National Guard, 113d Engineering Battalion for 16 years before transferring to the Army Reserves 76th Training Support Brigade retiring after 23 total years of service at the rank of Major. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping while in Maine. He loved the game of golf in Florida. He competed in many area tournaments within Highlands County and was a member of River Greens Golf Course. He enjoyed traveling to River Greens North during July with great friends. He was a member of the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Avon Park, Florida and had been a resident of Avon Park since 2000 coming from Maine. He is survived by his wife-Joanne M. Merkle of Avon Park, Florida; children-Stephen Merkle (Sherry) of Kenneth, Missouri, Jessica Merkle of Myakka City, Florida, Jennifer Smith (Chris) of Franklin, North Carolina and Jon Bull (Cyenne) of Plant City, Florida; 7 grandchildren; brother-Todd Merkle (Robin) of Rockwood, Maine and sister-Daliane Fitzherbert of Sebring, Florida. A celebration of his life will be held at River Greens Golf Course starting with golf at 1:00 p.m. and a memorial and dinner at 5:00 p.m. March 7, 2010. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Valley River Humane Society / Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 658, Murphy, North Carolina 28906 or Frostproof High School Jim Merkle Golf Scholarship, 1000 North Palm Avenue, Frostproof, Florida 33843. Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Avon Park stephensonnelsonfh.com