Jean Vanderhorst Merkle

Jean Vanderhorst Merkle passed peacefully in her sleep on October 13, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was born on February 26, 1929 to Raymond and Gertrude Vanderhorst and grew up in Arlington Heights, Ohio. While working as a soda jerk in Lockland, she met the love of her life when he came in the drug store to show her his new shoes. She graduated from Lockland High School, lived on the hilltop in Reading when it was changing from farmland to suburb, and spent many happy years in Anderson Township and Mason Christian Village. Jean was bright, plucky, loving, loyal, funny, stubborn, and determined to give her family her best. She leaves her husband of 66 years, Jack Merkle; her daughters Judith Fertig and Julie Fox John; grandchildren Sarah Fertig Eric Graves, Justin Fox Morgan, Megan Ford Bill, Nick Fertig Jessica, and Devin Fox Josie; and great-grandchildren Anya Fertig and Jack Ford. The family wishes to thank the warm and loving caregivers who made Jean’s final years as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta Center http://www.vnhs.org and Canine Assistants at www.canineassitants.org.