JOSEPH A. MERK passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2017. Joe was born August 20, 1933 in Somerville, New Jersey, to Joseph and Anna Merk. He was predeceased by a sister, Julia.
Joe is survived by his spouse of 58 years, Janet S. Merk . Together they had 4 children: Greg (Charlene) Merk, Kim (Shaun) Murphree, Lisa (Brian) Gallagher, and Laura (Brian) Okupski. He has 18 grandchildren, but since he couldn’t remember who belonged to whom, we won’t divulge that here, either.
After serving honorably in the US Coast Guard in the Korean Conflict, Joe graduated from Rider (College) University. He worked in Human Resources for the State of New Jersey, in the garment district in New York City, and retired after 19 years as Vice President of Human Resources at Carrier Clinic. After retirement, Joe enjoyed 16 years of substitute teaching at the Montgomery Township High School.
Joe was a very creative person, enjoying woodworking, cooking, painting, gardening, singing and most recently took up the ukulele. He could fix anything, and would work the WonderWord and crosswords with Jan each morning.
He will be remembered for bringing kindness, good humor and compassion into his relationship with those he came into contact with. The family frequently heard people tell them what a sweet man he was.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 8th, at 11am in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 47 Skillman Road, Skillman, NJ 08858. Visiting for relatives and friends will be on Tuesday, August 8th, from 10 – 11am in the church. Cremation will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillsborough Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to St. Charles Borromeo Church, 47 Skillman Rd ., Skillman, NJ, 08558 or the Montgomery Township EMS, P.O. Box 105 , Belle Mead, NJ, 08502
