January 11, 1929 – August 25, 2021

Joseph “Joe” Merka, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 25, 2021 at Broadmoor Place.

The Christian Burial Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday August 30 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The entombment will follow at Mgr. Gleissner’s mausoleum in the Mount Calvary cemetery. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday with a rosary at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.

Joe was born January 11, 1929 to Bryan, son of Joseph F Merka, Sr and Anne Merka. He attended and graduated in Bryan, Texas. He then worked and retired from the Lone Star Gas Company after 40 years of service. Joe enjoyed hunting deer with his friends and family, working with his hands and dancing; especially waltzing with Bobbie. He enjoyed taking trips to Louisiana for crayfish with Bobbie and their friends Charlie and Minnie Gardner. Joe was a member of the St Joseph Ushers Club, the Knights of Columbus and an Army veteran. He was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Joe is predeceased by his 62 year old wife Bobbie Merka; parents Joseph and Ann Merka; sister Francis McNair; and a nephew, Brandon Denk.

He is survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Eddie “Butch” and Joyce Denk; niece, Kimberly Harper and husband Clay Harper; great-niece, Shelby Harper and nephew Bill Ray McNair and his family.

The family would like to thank the staff and palliative care at Broadmoor Place for the exceptional care they provided to Joe during his residency at the facility.

Memorials can be made at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic School or at a charity of your choice.