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Ernest Merklein Obituary
He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on December 17, 1928, to Ernest Anthony Merklein, Sr., and Josephine Dale Merklein. He was a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute and Louisiana State University. After serving in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, he returned home to Shreveport to help his father run the family-owned insurance brokerage business (started originally in New York City by his grandfather Ludwig, of Nuremburg, Germany). On August 4, 1956 he and Ann Louise Hanson married at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Houston, Texas. They made their home and raised their five children in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1968 he was elected to the Caddo Parish School Board and helped lead the school district through integration. Ernest was an active Catholic lay person, and in 1980 he received the Brotherhood Citation as Outstanding Catholic awarded by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. After selling his company to Alexander & Alexander (now Aon), he built a national reputation as an expert in environmental insurance. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club in Shreveport and Black Mountain.
Surviving are his wife, Ann Merklein; his daughter, Elizabeth Johnson (Mike) of Tigard, Oregon; his daughter, Patricia Jackson (David) of Towson, Maryland; his son, Ernest "Trip" Merklein III (Anne) of Longmont, Colorado; his son, Gordon Merklein (Catherine) of Chapel Hill; his daughter, Lessley Harwell (Rob) of Chapel Hill; his sister, Mary Sue Hughes of Austin, Texas; and 14 grandchildren (Zachary, Kate, and Camille Johnson; Robert, Harris, and Turner Jackson; Josie, Adrien, and Alex Merklein; Sam and Ethan Merklein; and Emery, Dale, and Gordon Harwell). He is also survived by his sister-in-law Elizabeth Duerr of Houston, Texas and loving nieces and nephews. Ernest and Ann retired to Black Mountain, North Carolina in 1994, and moved to Chapel Hill in 2006.
Ernest will be remembered by his family and all who knew him as a kind, loving, and faithful husband, father, and friend. A service in celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, September 21, at 3 PM at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, officiated by the Reverend Robert E. Dunham. A private Cremation Ceremony was held at the Hall-Wynne Crematory.
The family thanks the staff at the DuBose Health Center for the loving care they have given to Ernest and for their kind support of his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ignatius Jesuit Retreat Center, 6700 Riverside Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30328; or to Alzheimers NC Inc, 1304 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609.
On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Hall-Wynne Funeral Home
Durham, NC (919) 688-6387
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Merklein
Sandy Clark
September 30, 2010
I can only add to what Lee has said. A wonderful southern gentleman. Sandy Clark
Robert Moore
September 24, 2010
Ernie was a great guy to work with because of his inquisitive mind and pleasant manner. I always enjoyed his visits to our A&A Washington office. He was blessed with a long life and a loving family. Dr. Robert Moore
September 23, 2010
Dear Ann and Merklein clan,
I'm only sorry that I didn't know Ernest better. He sounds like such a wonderful man. Blessings to all of you as you celebrate and reflect on his life.
Grace and peace.
Lorene and Chuck LaBerge
Lee Carter
September 23, 2010
Ernest was a true gentleman in the greatest sense of the term. He was a very good insurance man who was a leader at Alexander & Alexander, especially in the field of environmental issues. I loved working with Ernie on so many projects. Ann and the family have my sympathy.
September 22, 2010
Dear Ann and family
I first met Ernest in connection with his providing insurance, and our friendship grew through his involvement in the Catholic church and particularly in sharing the writings of Thomas Merton. He will be remembered as a caring and active person always seeking to do good! Louis Lowrey
Ginger Jones Perry
September 21, 2010
I worked with Mr. Merklein at Alexander & Alexander. He was always very kind to me at a very young age in what would be the beginning of my professional career. I will forever be grateful for his inspiration. To the family, I am very sorry for your loss and may the Lord be with you.
Chris Dykes
September 21, 2010
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Merklein family, all of whom helped shape my childhood and make it a very happy one. Mr. Merklein made every activity a learning experience. He taught us all to love and appreciate nature. He had a profound influence on my youth and was without a doubt one the most positive influences I ever had. I know he will be greatly missed.
September 21, 2010
Our thoghts and prayers are with you at this time.
Adelaide and Shelby Smith
Joan Purdy
September 21, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are wtth you at this time. Earnest touched so many lives. Love to the family. Joan
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud
September 21, 2010
The Final Salute
“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Ernest Anthony Merklein, Jr. our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Ernest. And to Ernest it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Korean War while serving in the U.S. Army. Ernest, we bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,341 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Ernest’s family and loved ones.
Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
Jerry Bufkin
September 21, 2010
My condolences to the Merklein family.
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