Mildred Merkle

Life of Mildred Merkle 

Born: June 28th, 1926 (Philadelphia) 

Died: December 23rd, 2022 (Huntingdon Valley, PA) 

Wife of the late Raymond Merkle, Mother of Raymond (Barbara), Glenn (Pam), and Wayne (Robin). Mildred leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her parents, Tom and Ida Cantwell, her sister, Evelyn Sands (Jim), and her 2 great grandchildren, Frankie and Christian. 

Mildred was an honest and loving woman who consistently put others before herself. She is remembered as a positive, patient and caring person who didn’t let the small stuff bother her. She was active with family, church, friends, and especially volunteer work.  She was a strong- minded and sympathetic confidant who helped many people with her wisdom.   

At the age of 50, when her beloved husband, Ray, succumbed to Scleroderma, Mildred re-invented herself by entering the workforce where she was very successful and well respected. Mildred was one of the original founders of the Scleroderma Research Foundation. She continued her lifelong volunteer work at The Fox Chase Cancer Center until the age of 94. In 2018, she was awarded The United States President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer service.   

Mildred enjoyed watching the Phillies, Eagles, and 76ers. She quite often would be seen sitting in the grandstands watching her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s games. She seldom complained and had a positive outlook on life. Social activity and digital innovation kept her mind sharp. Mildred kept young by keeping socially active and by multi-tasking; she would simultaneously watch TV, utilize Facebook and carry out text conversations until the end of her precious 96-year-old life. One of her strengths was her ability to look for the good in all people, despite their diversity.  May her memories and “good will” live within us and may she live in eternal life!