Hal D. Merkley

Hal D. Merkley, 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Lincoln Court Assisted Living. He was under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho.

He was born September 9, 1932, in Duchesne, Utah, to Wilson John and Faye Elizabeth Abbott Merkley. Hal was raised on the family dairy farm where he learned the value of hard work alongside his brothers, sisters, and a large extended family of cousins and neighbors.

Hal married his high school sweetheart, Janice Stephenson, on May 24, 1950. The couple lived briefly in Ogden, Utah, before settling in Idaho Falls in 1956, where Hal began a 38-year career at the Naval Reactors Facility. Starting without an engineering degree, Hal earned the opportunity to train alongside Naval officers in Nuclear Engineering School and went on to serve as a Reactor Engineer, Shift Supervisor, and Senior Electrical Engineer before retiring in 1994.

Hal and Janice built a home on Homer Avenue in Idaho Falls in 1964, where they raised their six children: Teresa, Jill, Cynthia, Michael, Mark, and Ryan. Hal earned an Electrical Contractor’s license and spent many evenings and vacations wiring homes throughout the community.

Faith was central to Hal’s life. He served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many callings, including Assistant Ward Clerk, a Bishopric counselor, and a member of the Ammon West Stake High Council. He and Janice were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1959, and later served a mission together at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors’ Center. During winters in St. George, Utah, Hal served three years as Branch President of the Twenty-Seventh Winter Branch and, with Janice, faithfully performed temple ordinances. He spent countless hours researching his family history, carefully documenting hundreds of ancestors for future generations.

Hal loved golf, fishing, hunting, and kayaking, and spent many happy years exploring the mountains and rivers of Idaho with friends and family. He also took great pride in his garden, growing some of the best fruits and vegetables around, and it was rare for a summer to go by without Hal showing up at a neighbor’s or family member’s door with an armload of fresh produce to share.

Hal was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janice, in 2015; his parents; three brothers and two sisters; grandson, Shawn Nielsen; and sons-in-law, Ron Dumont and Michael Murphy.

He is survived by his children, Teresa Dumont, Jill Murphy, Cindy (Wade) Foster, Michael Merkley (Miguel Vicente), Mark (Pam) Merkley, and Ryan Merkley; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Woodruff Ward, 1660 12th Street, with Bishop Michael Byron officiating. The family will visit with friends from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will follow in the Ammon Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.