Arlene Grace Merklin

Aug. 8, 1931 - July 10, 2009

BENKELMAN - Arlene Grace Merklin, 77, died Friday (July 10, 2009) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

She was born Aug. 8, 1931, at St. Francis to Frank and Lelya (Forsythe) Wolbach. She grew up in St. Francis and attended grade school and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1949. After graduation, she worked at a drug store and later for Jim Jones Caldwell Propane in St. Francis.

She married David O. Merklin at the Presbyterian Church in Benkelman on June 2, 1957, officiated by her St. Francis preacher. They moved west of Benkelman on a farm that her husband and his brother owned where she helped milk the cows and looked after the livestock.

She worked at the Benkelman Grade School cafeteria until she started at the Independent Elevator for John Ham as a bookkeeper before retiring.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hatters Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, David O. Merklin II.

Survivors include her husband, David; children, Gina Marie and husband, Carl Hunt; Arletta and Andy Craw; Frank and wife, Candie; 10 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one unborn great-grandson

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Benkelman Community Center with the Rev. Bear Davis officiating. Interment will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman on today until 6 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.