Lynda Lou Merkel

Lynda Lou Merkel, 83, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Tamarack Ridge Health & Rehabilitation facility in Kent, Ohio. Lynda was born on December 9, 1942, the daughter of William and Ruth Hilbrunner. She grew up in the Brimfield, Kent, Ohio area along with two siblings, Bill and Randa (both deceased).

She is survived by her loving husband, David Merkel; her sons, David S. (Jocelyn) Merkel and Derek (Stephanie) Merkel; grandson, Devon (Lydia) Merkel, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Lynda graduated from Kent State High School in Kent, Ohio in 1960. After graduation she worked as a Dental Assistant.

Soon after graduating she met and married David on January 5, 1963.  Their family grew and welcomed two boys and later added a grandson- so she was surrounded by boys. All her boys became the loves of Lynda’s life. She enjoyed caring for them, being a wife, mother and grandmother, and making them her fresh homemade cinnamon rolls, potato salad and cherry pie. Her family never had to wonder how much she loved them, she showed them every day.

Anyone that knew Lynda, realized she was a person of deep faith, and she loved her God Jehovah. Making her dedication in 1958, she attended the Newton Falls Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her faith was woven throughout her life, and it was never a secret, she shared it with everyone she met. From the time she was a teenager she enjoyed teaching Bible truths with others.

We all would describe Lynda as a true lady with a very soft and gentle spirit which made people love her even more.

Lynda and David were truly a team in life. They were loyal to one another, and they brought out the best in each other, making them both better people. They built a life together...it was a 63 year Love Story.

The last several years of Lynda’s life were marked by health challenges, but she was always confident in her God and that David would be by her side through it all.

She was also helped by a caring and capable medical staff. The doctors and nurses at University Hospital in Ravenna and the staff at the Tamarac Ridge Health Rehabilitation as well as the Harmony Hospice and Summa Hospice always showed her kindness as they cared for her, and for that her family will always be grateful.

We will never forget and always appreciate the loving help and support we received from our friends in the Newton Falls Congregation.

Please join with Lynda’s family for a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. on July 19, 2026 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 300 Bandorr Road, Newton Falls, Ohio 44444, or join us by Zoom video conference Meeting ID - 330-872-7374, Password – Kingdom.

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