Patricia Jean Merkle

Patricia Jean (Woodrow) Merkle of Norman died peacefully Monday, March 25 surrounded by family and friends. Patty, as she was known to all, was born in Ft. Cobb on September 2 to Thomas and Mary Woodrow. She grew up in Norman and graduated from Norman High School. Patty met her true love, Joe Merkle, when she was 23 and they married on November 20, 1954. They lived a full and beautiful life together, spending four years in Cuba, 10 years in Chicago, and two years in west Texas before settling back in their beloved Norman in 1973.

Patty was a loving wife, mother and nana who loved entertaining and cooking. She was active in women’s and bridge clubs, and was a self-taught artist who created lovely floral and landscape paintings, as well as works on pieces of china. Loved by all who knew her, she was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Mary, husband Joe, brother David Woodrow Sr, and her sisters Mary Jo and Wanda Collett. Patty is survived by three daughters: Carolyn Zadel and husband Mike, of Mt. Prospect, Illinois; Marilyn Crump of Keller, Texas; and Elisabeth Waltman and husband Jude, of Norman; son Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Merkle and wife Jessica, of Pond Creek; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; sisters Betty Morgan of Norman; JoNell Grissom of Noble; Janie Murphy and husband Marc of Norman; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions in Patty’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter at https://www.alz.org/oklahoma

Visitation will be Thursday, March 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Havenbrook Funeral Home 3401 Havenbrook St. Services are scheduled for Friday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the Havenbrook Chapel with internment following at Warren Cemetery in Norman.