Ella Mae Merkley

Ella Merkley (nee Casselman), a lifetime area resident, passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Tues., April 1, 2008, following a brief illness. She was 91.
Ella was born in Matilda Township on Nov., 18, 1916 to Nathan and Eva Casselman (nee McMillan). When she was a young child the family moved to a farm west of Dunbar where she was raised along with her sister, Helen, and brothers, Hubert and Ray.
In March of 1934 she married Erwin Merkley in Williamsburg and together they had a daughter Betty. Ella worked alongside Erwin on the farm in addition to completing all of her household chores.
She will be remembered as a strong, hard-working, and independent woman who loved to play cards and socialize with family and friends. She always had a kind word and a smile, and she was always willing to help anyone in need. She was a faithful member of Trinity United Church in Chesterville, and she was an active member of the U.C.W.
She will be deeply missed by her brothers Hubert Casselman of Chesterville, and Ray (Helen) Casselman of Williamsburg, her son-in-law Ron Campbell of Edwards, and her grandchildren Tara and Brent Campbell. She was predeceased by her husband Erwin Merkley, her daughter Betty Campbell, and her sister Helen Froats. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Fri., April 4. The service was held at the funeral home on Sat., April 5 with Rev. Wendy Wright-MacKenzie officiating, followed by interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Chesterville. The pallbearers were David Froats, Earl Casselman, Brian Casselman, Barry Feeley, Neil Beckstead, and Brent Campbell.
Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.