Frank Merkl

1924 - 2017

Frank Merkl, beloved husband of the late Tillie Merkl, passed away in Taber on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at the age of 93 years.

 Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 5:00 P.M.

 The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

 Frank is survived by his sons William (Monell) Merkl of Barnwell, Ronald (Cheryl) Merkl of Taber and Kenneth (Jennifer) Merkl of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; grandchildren Andrea Pyne, Paul Merkl, John Merkl, Sheila (Jesse) Terpstra, Ryan Merkl and Kyle Merkl; great grandchildren Brittany and Hunter Pyne, Evelyn and Emily Terpstra; great great grandson Zander Pyne. He is also survived by his special friend, whom dad called his sister Virginia (Frank) Badura; brothers and sister-in-law Dan (Julia) Hoffart, Anna Marie Puckett, Lawrence (Elsie) Hoffart, Frank (Sharron) Hoffart, Delores Hoffart and Harry Hecht.

 He was predeceased by his wife Tillie Merkl on March 12, 2017; parents John and Theresa Merkl; father and mother-in-law William and Amalia Hoffart; in-laws Peter (Mary) Hoffart, Tony (Katie) Hoffart, Charles Hoffart, Johanna Hecht, Amelia (Otto) Schmidt, Ted Kopp and Ray Puckett.

 Frank was born in Sokolovac, Croatia on February 6, 1924, the only child of John and Theresa Merkl. He came to Canada with his mother in 1928 to join his father who had immigrated to Canada in 1926. Frank lived in Regina, then due to the Depression the family moved to Taber in 1936. He went to school in Reliance and Taber. Frank left school halfway through grade ten because the family purchased a farm in Barnwell. He met Tillie Hoffart in 1950 at a wedding reception and in 1951 they were married.

 Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, having served as Grand Knight. He also was secretary of Barnwell local of the United Grain Growers for thirteen years and a member of the Barnwell seniors. Frank loved sports, especially fastball. He played for the Barnwell team and later with Cranford who were called the Cranford Farmers. While with this team they won the Alberta Intermediate “B” Fastball Championship. He was also proud to play broomball with his three sons on the Mavericks broomball team. 

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Frank’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5 www.cancer.ca.