Vernon MerkeyAnkenyVernon F. Merkey, 88, of Ankeny, IA, died Sunday, December 11, 2016, at Meadowview Memory Care Village in Cedar Rapids, IA. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday December 16th at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church officiated by Pastor Pat Fish (720 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405). Visitation will be held at the church 1 hour prior to the service. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.Vernon is survived by his four children Anne (Chett) Mitchell of Elkhart, IN, Steve (Sara) Merkey of Cedar Rapids, Janice (Scott) Yetmar of Strongsville, OH, and Kent Merkey of Minneapolis, MN; 10 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brother Dan (Mary) Merkey of Claremore, OK; and sister Esther Neher of Pierce City, MO.He is preceded in death by his wife Frances, brothers James, George, and Ike, and sisters Edith and Ella.Vernon was born on June 13, 1928 in Cordell, OK, the son of John and Cora Miller Merkey. He married Mary Frances Wood on June 13, 1954 at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, VA. He graduated from McPherson College, Bethany Theological Seminary, and served as a minister for 44 years for the Church of the Brethren, retiring in 1998. During his career as a minister he served churches in Missouri, Virginia, Iowa, and Indiana prior to his retirement at Ankeny. After retiring from the ministry Vernon lived an active lifestyle spending much of his free time caring for his yard, flower garden, vegetable garden and fruit trees. He also enjoyed visiting with family and friends, going for walks, and traveling.A major focus of Vernon's life was helping other people in various ways. He would appreciate, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation directed to Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army or a .Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.