Elizabeth D. Merkley

Elizabeth D. Merkley, 70, of Anna, died at 1:34 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

She was born on Nov. 30, 1946, in Carbondale, the daughter of Dean and Millie Frick Goetz.

She married Donald E. Merkley on Dec. 27, 1976. He preceded her in death on Oct. 4, 2011.

She was a highly-skilled and well-respected registered nurse, both in the workplace and within the community. Her caregiving was sought in people’s times of need due to her high standards, empathy and compassion. Elizabeth was an intelligent, talented, creative person and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was proud of her children and loved them deeply. Nothing compared to the joy she received from her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Brooke Miller of Cobden; stepdaughter Carrie (Robb) Wyss of Lake Tahoe, Calif.; daughters Hope Merkley (Phillip Trammel) of Cobden and Lydia (Dan) Truitt of Sacramento, Calif.; grandchildren Grant and Asher Miller, Phoenix Jahn, Donovan Kai Trammel, Nora Elizabeth and Ella Louise Truitt; step-grandchildren Hayden, Simon and Sam Wyss, and Clayton and Zoey Trammel; a sister, Linda (Rick) Powell of Manchester, Mo.; nephews Matt and John Powell; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her husband Donald E. Merkley.

Funeral services for Mrs. Merkley were at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at the Casper Church in Anna, with family and friends officiating. Interment was in the Jonesboro Cemetery.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.