Donald B. Merkley

A memorial service for Donald B. Merkley, age 87 of County Rt 68 Ogdensburg will be held on Monday December 7, 2015 at 11:00am at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home with Rev. Walter Smith officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Heuvelton.

There will be no public calling hours. Mr. Merkley passed away on Monday (Nov 30, 2015) at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center with his family by his side.

Surviving are his children Donald (Nancy) Merkley of Heuvelton, Mark (Lisa) Merkley of Heuvelton, Diane (Richard) Moore of Ogdensburg and Lynda Carr of Lisbon; a sister Mary Livingston of Canton; grandchildren Heather (John) Tamberilo of Colony NY, Adam Merkley (Renee Lahue) of Heuvelton, Ryan Merkley of Washington DC, Ben (Lucy) Merkley of Heuvelton, Eric (Sommer) Merkley of Macomb, Sara Merkley (Eric White) of Ogdensburg, Jessie Carr of Lisbon and Michael Carr of Lisbon; great-grandchildren Alyssa Merkley and Regina Tamberilo along with nieces, nephews & cousins.

Don was born on January 3, 1928 in Ogdensburg NY, a son of the late Ralph & Agnes (Woodside) Merkley. He graduated from Heuvelton School and later married Eleanor C. Clark on Aug 12, 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in Heuvelton with Rev. Allen Bowering officiating. Eleanor predeceased him on Feb 24, 2010.

Following the couple’s marriage, they purchased the family farm on Rt 68 in 1950 which they have operated for the past 65 years with their children. Don’s greatest passion in life was working on the farm and countless hours in the fields. He started with turkey and sheep, and soon after installed 9,000 laying hens which distributed eggs thru out the area. His continued growth expanding over the years, and established the swine operations, and later one of the largest U-Pick strawberry operations and fruit stand to North Country families, which remains ongoing to this day. Don & Eleanor achieved this by traveling thru out the US and Canada for the advancement of the U Pick operations. He was also a past member of the Lisbon Co-Op, Lisbon School Board, 4-H leader and was awarded St. Lawrence County conservation farmer of the year in 1976.

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.