Catherine J. Merley
Catherine J. Merley, 94, rural Akron, passed at 4 a.m., Monday, April 5, 2021, at her residence.
Catherine was born on Jan. 1, 1927, in Silver Lake, at her family home to the late John Isaac and Eva (Shilling) Sands. On May 4, 1947, she married C. William “Bill” Merley in Silver Lake. He preceded her in death on Feb. 19, 2011.
She was a 1945 graduate of Silver Lake High School and then attended Manchester College. She was a homemaker, helping on the family dairy and hog farm. Catherine enjoyed reading and learning about the Civil War. She took many trips and even sat through a hurricane in the Outer Banks. She was an avid college sport fan with her favorite teams being Indiana University basketball and Notre Dame football.
Catherine is survived by four sons: Bill Merley Jr., Indianapolis; John and wife Donita Merley, Akron; Mark and wife Sherry Merley, Akron; and Brent Merley, Akron; and five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother Carl Sands as well as an infant brother.
The funeral service will be at noon, Saturday, April 10, at Hartzler Funeral Home 305 West Rochester Street Akron, with Pastor Stan Owen and Pastor Luke Vasicek officiating.
The interment will take place in the Akron Cemetery, Akron.
Visitation hours will be from 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 10, at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron.
Donations can be made in memory of Catherine to the Fulton County Animal Adoption And Education Center 1540 N. Wentzel St. Rochester, IN 46975.