George Emory Merk (1-29-12)

COMMERCE - George Emory Merk, 83, died Sunday, January 29, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospice House.

He was born in Jackson County, the son of the late Hoyt and Alva Garrison Merk. He was a member of Oconee Baptist Church and was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Merk was a farmer and school bus driver. Mr. Merk was preceded in death by grandchildren, Jessica Martin and Chris Merk.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Shirley Merk, Commerce; sons, Mike Merk (Joni), Maysville, and Phillip Merk (Ali), Commerce; daughter, Gloria Martin (Jerry), Winder; sisters, Dorothy Brewer, Statham, and Janette Johnson, Jefferson; and grandchildren, Thomas Chad Merk (Marla), Jarrett Emory Martin (Ashley), Gabriel Emory Merk and Vivi Ann Pearl Merk.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at Oconee Baptist Church with the Revs. Ken Barrett and Gene Carlan officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday night, January 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oconee Baptist Church or St. Mary's Hospice House.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.