Eddie Wayne Merckling, age 90, son of Wayne and Sylvia (Walker) Merckling was born on Sept. 10, 1935, in Grant City, Missouri. He passed away on May 28, 2026, at Houston House, Houston, Missouri in the presence of family.
Eddie is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norman, Dorman and Doyle; three sisters, Betty, Bonnie and Gail; and son-in-law, Johnny Lee Carter.
He is survived by his sister, Judy York of Houston; the mother of his children, Barbara Merckling of Lithia Springs, Georgia; son, Mark (Donna) Merckling of Kansas City, Missouri; three daughters, Deanna Carter of Douglasville, Georgia, Patricia (Tim) Sleebos of Bremen, Georgia and Lora (Jerry) Stilley of Winston, Georgia; 15 grandchildren, Mindy (Aaron) Wood, Matthew (Alexus) Merckling, Melissa (Michael) Porterfield, Amanda (David) Moyer, Micah (Leah) Carter, Jeremy (Brittany) Carter, Karlie (Chris) Hooper, Kirsten (Peter) Rockhill, KeLynne Sleebos, Tyler (Favor) Stilley, Alec (Ashle) Stilley, Cameron (Amanda) Stilley, Logan (Alicia) Stilley, Evan (Olivia) Stilley and Elizabeth Romero; seven step-grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren.
Eddie grew up in the Friendship-Raymondville area and graduated from Houston High School in 1953.
He married Barbara Morton on June 20, 1955, and to this union four children were born.
He was an ordained minister/pastor and formed a nonprofit ministry under Wayne Merckling Ministries and was an active member, all his life, in the Friendship community. He loved to sing and worship Jesus playing his guitar and loved teaching the Word of God, telling others about Jesus and what he had done for him. He was a prayer warrior leading many to Christ, encouraging others to join the army of the Lord.
Eddie loved farming and enjoyed working outdoors. He was always looking for ways to help his family and friends with a compassionate heart. He will be greatly missed, but we know that he is enjoying the beauty of Heaven and is rejoicing in the presence of the One he has so desired to see.
A visitation for Eddie will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, at Evans Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Boone Creek Cemetery, with his son, Mark Merckling officiating. Arrangements under the care and direction of Evans Funeral Home of Houston. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com.
