Tony Merkle

1928 - 2024

Anthony Merkle, beloved husband of Irene Merkle, passed away in Taber on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the age of 95 years.

A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The celebration of Tony’s life was held at the Taber Civic Centre, 4720 - 50 Street, Taber on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.

Tony leaves to mourn his wife of seventy one years, Irene; his children Pam (Brian) Karras of Taber, Valerie (Vince Herron) of Innisfail, Karen Webster of Taber, Lorelei Harrison of Taber, Daniel (Carol) Merkle of Lethbridge, Mark Merkle of Taber, Anthony (Kim) Merkle of Okotoks, Jarilyn Weaver of Lac La Biche and Sarah Merkle of Taber. Also left to cherish his memory are his nineteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

Tony was born February 1, 1928, in Sokolovac, Yugoslavia, and the family immigrated to Canada two years later. In 1942, the family migrated to Taber, where Tony learned a new way of life - hoeing and topping sugar beets. They purchased their own farm, and when his father died the following year, Tony continued to farm the land. Working with soil, seed and sun remained his lifelong passion, and his garden won awards year after year. In 1952 Tony married Irene Feko, and they immediately started to build their family, raising nine children along the way.

Tony lived a full and happy life and his accolades are too numerous to mention. Some of his proudest moments included driving school bus, volunteering as a fireman and ambulance driver, hockey coach and referee and coach for girls fastball. He served as president of Taber Minor Hockey for one year and donated more than seventy pints of blood to the Red Cross. Tony was honored by the Taber and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 under the ‘Builder’ category. He was the first recipient of the Taber Wall of Fame designation at the Taber Civic Centre.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Tony’s name may be made directly to a charity of one’s choice.

A special thank you to the staff at Linden View and the Taber Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion.