Mary E. Merkley, age 94, of Ireland

Mary E. Merkley, age 94, of Ireland, Indiana, passed away surrounded by family at 6:30 p.m. on August 17, 2026, at Legacy Living in Jasper, Indiana. 

Mary was born in Ireland, Indiana on February 15, 1932, to John B. and Elizabeth (Schepers) Terwiske. She married Raymond J. Merkley on June 11, 1955, in St. Mary Catholic Church in Ireland. He preceded her in death on December 6, 1982. 

Mary was an Ireland High School graduate. 

She devoted her life to raising her children and caring for her home and family. She also worked alongside her husband at Merkley Packing Company in Ireland and was a co-owner of Merkley Meats in Chandler. Throughout her life, Mary was known for her strong work ethic and willingness to care for others. She cleaned for several doctors’ offices and later worked at the Ireland Mark-Rite. Mary was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, and their St. Anne’s Society. 

She was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed line dancing, playing cards, and decorating peoples’ homes. She was a fierce competitor in Rummikub, winning at penny slots, and loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. 

She is survived by five children: Greg (Kanda) Merkley, Wadesville, IN; Brenda (Bradly) Durcholz, Warsaw, IN; Steve (Angie) Merkley, Newburg, IN; Sandy (John) Seng, Jasper, IN; Lynn (Mark) Harder, Phoenix, AZ; 13 grandchildren: Dana (Steven) Kuharske, Audrey (Nick) Zimmer, Brian (Anna) Merkley, Eric (Jenna) Merkley, Ashley (Ryan) Kreager, Holly (Tim) Gaskins, Kayla (John) Dang, Andrew (Michael) Coyle, Evan Merkley, Heath (Emily) Seng, Jeff Seng (Morgan Blessinger-Seng), Eli (Emily) Seng, Ben Seng, 22 great-grandchildren and one on the way. 

Besides her husband, she is preceded in death by, her daughter, Marla Merkley, son, Jeff Merkley, son-in-law, Kurt Mathies, one grandson, Johnny Seng, 6 great-grandchildren: Catherine Therese, Rachel Gianna, Gabriel Pio, Maria Teresa, and Anna Lucia Kreager, Lydia Kay Seng, two sisters, Irene Werne and Monica Thacker, six brothers: Jim, Cletus, Maurice, Sylvester “Wes,” Robert “Bob,” and Tony Terwiske. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary E. Merkley will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ireland with burial to follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service time at the church on Monday. A rosary will be prayed at 8:30 a.m. prior to the visitation. The family would like to thank Edie Chapman, Mary’s caregiver for the past two years. Also, the wonderful, caring staff at Legacy Living and Heart-to-Heart Hospice.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Riley Children’s Hospital.     

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com