Harold R. Merkel

Born at home on the family dairy farm in Ionia New York on October 17, 1936, Harold was no stranger to hard work. He started doing chores and milking cows at an early age, and took over the farm in the mid 1950’s. In early 1954 he met his future bride, Carol Czadzeck, at a “Broom Dance” at Mendon Presbyterian Church, in Mendon, NY, and they were married six months later – with Carol skipping her High School graduation for the wedding ceremony. They were best friends and close companions for seventy years, until Harold’s passing on February 2, 2024.

In 1978 the family moved to southern Virginia to continue dairy farming on a larger scale, and then in 1984 they moved to Englewood, Florida where Harold changed careers, drawing on skills he had learned over the years to build, and then remodel, condominiums on Siesta Key.

Harold is survived by his wife, Carol (Czadzeck) Merkel, Daughter Phyllis Shoots and her husband Jim, Son Martin Merkel and his wife Karan, three grandchildren and their spouses, John (Sarah) Shoots, Sarah (Eric) Trott, and Michelle (Adrian) VandenBout. He was also blessed with six great-grandchildren – Chloe, Jake, Sam, Hannah, Cora, and Nate. He loved all dearly, and was loved, and will be sorely missed.

Harold was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He loved his TV game shows, especially, “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune”. He and his wife, Carol, spent many years restoring the 1967 Chevelle that belonged to their son, Rodney, and accumulated a large collection of trophies and awards from various shows they participated in over the years.

Grandpa / Dad / Harold made the best sandwiches, perfect fried eggs, and delicious grill-baked potatoes coated with olive oil and salt. He had an easy smile and a kind and considerate manor.

Calling hours (9-11AM) and a Celebration of Life (11AM) will take place this Thursday, February 8, at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 1935 South Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL, with interment immediately following at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road (776), Englewood, Florida 34223.

Flowers may be sent to the Kays-Ponger funeral home at the address above, or donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Heart Association.