Merkel, Edward John 97 yrs old, passed away Mar. 15, 2018, at the Atascadero Christian Home in Atascadero, CA. The fifth of nine children, he was born in Struble, Iowa on Feb. 15,1921 to Edward Henry Merkel and Marie Carolina (Schrcmpf) Merkel. A large part of Edward's life was his service in the US Navy which he joined in 1938 when he was just 17. Edward was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and was stationed on the USS Pennsylvania on the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Following his release from service at the end of WWII, he joined the US Naval Reserves and served for 33 years. Edward was also a member in the Knights of Columbus and in 1984 he received 2nd and 3rd degree honors (Minnesota). He had a warm smile and a friendly, out-going personality with a great sense of humor. Edward enjoyed ballroom dancing, listening to polka and country western music, boating, fishing and spending hours tinkering in his garage. In his retirement years he lived in Cold Spring, MN with his second wife, Iris A. Smith (deceased 2013), and they stayed active during the winter season in East Mesa, AZ, at the Greenfield Village RV Park sharing time with friends. Edward was married 27 years to Doris P. Cameron Merkel (deceased 1978) and mother of his two children. Survivors include his daughter Janice E. Graham (David) of Atascadero, CA and his son Edward Alan Merkel (Kristie) of Carlsbad, NM. He had five grandchildren: Judean Moreno (Jose Maria); Julie Healy (Sean); Gerri Amos, MaryAnn Holman (Donnie) and Edward Lee Merkel (Sarah) plus eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Edward's siblings include two sisters CeCelia Houle and Marie Tiffin (both of Minneapolis), plus numerous nieces and nephews. Edward is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Jim, Corky, and John) and three sisters (Kay, Helen and Josephine). An intimate graveside service was held at the Atascadero Cemetery District on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.