MERKLE - Key Persons
Bonnie Jean McBride, age 92, of Monroe passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday; November 20, 2024, at Wellspring Lutheran Services. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her stepfather: William Earl Cordrey; her beloved husband: Mickey on July 15, 2003; four siblings: Dale Lajiness, Freddie Cordrey, Edith Lajiness, and Richard Lajiness; a cousin: Shirley Wilder whom she thought of as a sister; two sons: Charles and Kevin McBride; two daughters: Amy and Julia McBride; and a great grandson: Gary Allen Keck.
Job Titles:
- Ice Rescue Technician
- Manager of North Monroe
- Member of Trinity Lutheran Church
Brian S. Merkle is a lifelong Monroe County resident. The son of Larry W. and Marilyn S. (Voss) Merkle he is the eldest of two boys. He married the former Tammy (Haynes) on June 22, 2001 and together they have three children, Olivia, Merin, and Ethan and three cock-a-poos, Layla, Lucy, and Liza.
An alumnus of Trinity Lutheran School, Brian graduated in 1996 from Monroe High School, and then in 1999 from Monroe County Community College. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in Mortuary Science in 2000 whiles serving his practicum at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian.
Brian completed Funeral Service Apprenticeship with the Bennett Funeral Homes in Monroe and Erie, and the David C. Brown Funeral Home in Belleville, Michigan. For four years Brian served the residents of Monroe as a Licensed Funeral Director at the Bennett Funeral Homes. He also managed the Erie Facility for three years. For more than two years Brian worked as a Licensed Funeral Director with Ochalek-Stark Funeral Service, Milan and Stark Funeral Service, Ypsilanti.
On July 17, 2007, the Merkle family opened Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe to better serve the Monroe Community. In 2011, Brian obtained his State of Ohio Embalmers and Funeral Director's dual licenses. He has since also obtained his Courtesy Card Funeral Director License in Indiana.
Brian's vision has led Merkle Funeral Service to expand into Erie in 2009 with the purchase of the Bennett-Prochnow Funeral Home, into South Monroe with the purchase of the Bennett Funeral Home in 2013, and most recently into Dundee with the purchase of the Cover Funeral Home in 2018 which most recently saw massive renovations.
Brian served his community as an Emergency Medical Technician for Monroe Community Ambulance from June of 2006 until February of 2022. He also is a state certified member of the Monroe County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. For twenty years, Brian has been a member of the Monroe Exchange Club. He is a past President, past blood drive chair, serves on the Blue and Gold Wounded in Service Award Committee, and is active with the GoodFellows Paper Sale. He is a member of the Sons of the American Legion and sits on the Veterans Day Parade Committee.
Brian is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he is a past Usher, Chair Person of the Day School Commission, Elder, Principal's Advisory Committee, Vice-President of Education on Church Council, and on the Church Board of Directors. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Endowment Fund Committee.
A state certified firefighter and an Ice Rescue Technician, Brian served from 1997 until 2010 with the Monroe Charter Township Fire Department. He was the past chairperson of the 9-11, Memorial Tower Climb Committee, was appointed as a Trustee and chaired the Board of Review for Monroe Township. He was chosen as the Firefighter of the Year in 2004 by the Monroe Kiwanis Club. On September 20, 2020, Brian passed the physical agility test for the fire department and once again rejoining the department as a Firefighter/EMT on November 1, 2020.
Brian is a former member and Vice-President of the Dundee Business Dynamics and of the Business Network International Chapter I, Monroe.
In 2014, Brian was chosen as a recipient of the prestigious 20 under 40 Award. This Leadership Recognition Program showcases young, dynamic leaders in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan who are under the age of 40. The program recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or in the community.
In April of 2018, Brian was chosen as the Alumnus of the Year for Monroe County Community College. He also serves on the board of the Monroe Aging Consortium. He is a member of the Monroe County Business Alliance Board of Directors.
In his free time Brian enjoys spending time with his family, running, weight lifting, and playing soccer.
David Mark Walling was born in Tennessee on June 30, 1965. He was adopted as an infant by Mr. and Mrs. Walling, gaining a loving brother in the process. He grew up in Monroe, graduating from Monroe High School. After graduation, David found his professional home at Yanfeng International Automotive Technology Company. There he dedicated his skills and passion for many years.
Outside of work, David's spirit and love for adventure shone through in his hobbies. He was an avid motorcyclist, serving as Sergeant at Arms with the Motorcycle Club the Highwaymen, and enthusiastically riding his beloved Harley Davidsons through countless scenic routes.
David had a rugged appreciation for the great outdoors, often spending his time hunting and fishing, where he relished the quiet and solitude that nature provided. A devoted sports fan, he rooted for the Tigers, Lions, and Pistons, staying loyal through the ups and downs of their seasons long before they achieved greatness.
An occasional traveler, David enjoyed making trips back to his roots in Tennessee and Kentucky, relishing the connection to his birth. He also made it a tradition to attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he proudly joined fellow enthusiasts in celebrating their shared passion.
David Mark Walling, aged 59, of Monroe passed away peacefully on Thursday; November 7, 2024, at Monroe Springs Rehab and Nursing Center. His passing was preceded by his parents.
To cherish his memory, he leaves a loving wife: Shirley Walling; two stepchildren: Adam (Mindy) Rascon; and Stacey Rascon; a grandson: Dextin Ellison; three great grandchildren; and many loving friends and family.
No public services are planned. His care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Cremation will take place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to David's family to assist with funeral arrangements. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.
Matthew Nicolas Dalrymple, Sr. was born on April 30, 1975, in San Antonio Texas. He was raised in Toledo, Ohio, where he attended Bowsher High School. He later earned his GED. He was gainfully employed by Dupre Trucking Terminal in Romulus, where he excelled as an Operations Logistics Manager.
Beyond his professional life, Matthew was a master of many trades. His garden was a testament to his green thumb, a vibrant oasis that provided not only sustenance but also comfort at the end of a busy day. Woodworking was another of his many talents. Matthew's skill with tools was matched by his prowess in the kitchen; his culinary creations often brought family and friends together around the dinner table.
Matthew's dedication to his community extended to his role as a non-denominational reverend. In this capacity, he offered counsel and comfort to anyone seeking it, leading gatherings with a message of unity and acceptance.
Of all his roles, Matthew cherished his responsibilities as a son, brother, father, and grandfather the most. He was a constant presence in his children's and grandson's lives, always ready with words of wisdom or a helping hand. Whether it was fixing a broken toy or helping with a school project, Matthew was there, teaching and guiding with patience.
Despite life's challenges, Matthew remained committed to the betterment of himself and those around him. He never judged others, always believing in the inherent goodness of people. His life was a testament to the fact that true wealth is measured not by material possessions but by the love and care we extend to others.
Matthew Nicolas Dalrymple, Sr., age 49, of Monroe passed away after a valiant battle with metastatic colon cancer on Sunday; November 10, 2024. After his passing Matthew assisted others with tissue donation through Gift of Life Michigan. His passing was preceded by his maternal grandmother: Nancy Cook Tucker in 2002.
To cherish his memory, he leaves his mother: Janet Tucker Conner of Monroe; four children: Madison Dalrymple (Seth Rybak), Macy Dalrymple (Joey Gammon), Matthew Dalrymple Jr., and Micah Dalrymple; a grandson: Adrian Rybak; the mother of his children: Cassie Dalrymple-King; a maternal aunt: Joyce Spencer of Clarksville, Tennessee; a sister: Mary (Joe) Meredith of Warren, Michigan, a brother Dan (Jessica) Dalrymple, II of Clarksville, Tennessee. He will also be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.
Friends may gather for a celebration of Matthew's life at 1:00pm; November 23, 2024, at One Way Christian Fellowship Church, 426 Jerome Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162, with Pastor BJ McDaniel to officiate. His care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan; a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Director of Funeral Operations
Noël Lipinski joined the Merkle Funeral Service Team in January 2020 as a Licensed Funeral Director and South Monroe Manager. She graduated High School in 1990 from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School in Wyandotte, Michigan. She married her high school sweetheart, Jonathan Lipinski in April of 1996 and have three children together: Madison, Laura and Walter.
Noël spent many years as a stay at home mom, before deciding to enroll at Wayne State University to obtain her degree. Noël began working at the Czopek Funeral Home, Wyandotte, Michigan in December of 2004, served her apprenticeship and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science in August of 2006. She was honored with the prestigious Walter D. Pool award for leadership in Mortuary Science. Noël would continue working at Czopek's until August of 2009, where she secured a spot on the "Top 20 under 40 professionals" in the Fall of 2007 from the Downriver News Herald Newspaper.
Noël worked at the John K. Solosy Funeral Home as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Lincoln Park, Michigan from February 2010 until January 2020. Her education, training and numerous years working as a Funeral Director have helped Noël gain tremendous perspective and has enabled her to offer great compassion to assist the families in their greatest time of need.
Noël and her family currently live in Wyandotte and are members of Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Lincoln Park, Michigan. She stays actively involved at St. John Paul, II Classical Catholic School in Lincoln Park as Secretary of the Booster Club and Trustee of the Parent Teacher Association.
Noël became the Director of Funeral Operations in May of 2022. In this role she oversees scheduling of all licensed team members. She recently earned her Ohio Funeral Director License.
Rachel Coles became rejoined the Merkle Funeral Service team in July of 2024 as our Dundee Manager. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force and upon completing her service, she pursued her passion for helping others by obtaining a Bachelor's in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University.
While attending school Rachel worked and completed her apprenticeship at Stark Funeral Professionals in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2022 and is dedicated to ensuring all final farewells are meaningful and dignified.
Rachel resides in Taylor, Michigan with her boyfriend, three dogs, two sulcata tortoises and a hedgehog.