CLARENCE H. MERKL

Clarence H. Merkl On January 6, 2018, Clarence Harrell (Buddy) Merkl Jr departed from us to be with the Lord. He was born December 10, 1923 in Pratt City, Alabama (Jefferson, County) to Clarence Sr. and Myrtle Minnie Merkl. His sibling was Claire Eloise (Merkl) White of Nashville Tenn. Buddy grew up in a close knit community on the western side of Birmingham where many of the resident men worked at TCI. Buddy attended Birmingham Southern College and Auburn University prior to enlisting in the United States Army in 1943 where he served in the South Pacific during World War II. At the end of World War II, Buddy returned to Alabama and enrolled in the University of Alabama School of Engineering to continue his education earning a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering with honors. He began his engineering career at Debardeleben Steel Corp and later invested the majority of his business and managerial career at TCI (later known as US Steel) where he rose to serve as the US Steel’s Superintendent of Maintenance Services Fairfield Division. Subsequently, Buddy served as lead consultant for Rust Engineering during the design and construction of the new state of the art pipe mill at US Steel. In 1944, Buddy married the love of his life, Thelma Irene (Toots) Griffis and together they had 4 children: Terry Irene Stewart (Jerry); John Timothy Merkl (Jenny); David Harrell Merkl (Wendy); and Daniel Lee Merkl (Kay); all who survive him. He has been blessed with 13 surviving grandchildren: Jonathan Stewart (Lisa); Mandy Coolidge (Chris), Timothy Merkl (Kathy), Lorie McBride (Matt); John Merkl (Abby); Greg Merkl; Erica Reed (Trent); Katie Merkl, Ron (Anastasia), Ryan and Ross Jewell; Lauren Kay Williamson (Keith), Daniel Lee Merkl Jr. (Sarah). Great-grandchildren include: Haley and Noah Stewart, Brodie, Wyatt and Ella Coolidge, Jack, Carolyn, Connor, Emelia and Sara Merkl, Colin, Claire and Vivian McBride, Jacob and Zoey Merkl, Addison, Hunter and Hudson Reed, Scarlette Jewell; Braxton and Peyton Williamson. Mr. Merkl has been a faithful follower and servant of the Lord through his leadership and membership at Central Park Baptist Church, and most recently FBC Pleasant Grove, where he is survived by a host of friends and spiritual family members. The visitation will be Wednesday, January 10, 2017 from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM, at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home, 195 Brooklane Drive in Hueytown, Alabama 35023. The funeral service will be 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. As an alternative to flowers, Clarence’s friends and family are invited to contribute to the “Clarence H. Merkl Memorial” Fund at FBC Pleasant Grove (724 4th Street, Pleasant Grove, AL 35127).

CLARENCE H. MERKL

December 10, 1923 - January 6, 2018