Mary Acuña Biera was born March 25, 1940 in Trent, Texas to José Acuña and Rafaela Garcia Acuña. She grew up in Trent, Texas where she attended school and moved to Merkel, Texas to raise her family. She was a proud, dedicated housewife and raised ten children. Mary enjoyed going for walks, volunteering, spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her family. She loved watching talk shows, cooking for her family, and helping out anyone...

On April 15th, 2024, Loyce ‘Gayle’ Baker passed peacefully from this life surrounded by her family.  Gayle was born October 2, 1936, to Ross and Golda (Shults) Givens in Frederick, Oklahoma.  She graduated from Manitou High School in Manitou, Oklahoma and obtained a teaching degree from Abilene Christian University.  She married Hugh Baker on March 8th, 1963, in Merkel, Texas. Hugh and Gayle raised three children in Merkel: Loyce, Lyle, and Lanae. She was a proud...

Elvira Acuña Biera, 93, of Merkel, Texas, passed from this Earth on April 1, 2024, in Abilene, TX.Elvira was born in a boxcar in Pyote, Texas, to Jose Acuña and Rafaela Garcia on July 19, 1930. At the time of her birth, her father was a railroad employee. She attended Trent schools until the 6th grade. She married Juan C. Biera in Abilene, Texas, on March 5, 1946. Despite her limited educational background, she instilled the importance of schooling in her children. All 10 of them have...

Hollis Burl McCoy, 91, of Merkel passed away on March 18, 2024 in Abilene.Burl was born in Stith, Texas to Hollis and Velma McCoy on February 22, 1933. He graduated from Merkel High School, then earned a Bachelors and Masters from Abilene Christian College. He married Georgia Jan Gibson on August 11, 1958 in Bakersfield, California. Burl invested in young people as a teacher, coach and mentor for 38 years at both the high school and university levels. He had a gift and passion for singing,...

Thomas Gerald Jones, age 87 of Abilene, TX went to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 11, 2024 at Lyndale Memory Care Center in Abilene. Tom was born in Trent, Texas in a small farmhouse on August 7, 1936 to D.H. and Mary Katherine Tittle Jones.  He went to school at Trent and was a proud “GORILLA”. After high school, he graduated from McMurry University.  He married Linda Sue Kelley of Clyde on March 21, 1981 at his newly built home in Merkel, TX. ...

Julia Ruth Baker, 82, passed away on March 11, 2024 in Abilene, TX. Julia was born on April 17, 1941 to John Baker and Rowena Baker McIlroy in Bisbee, AZ. She graduated from Eula High School in 1959. She was an X-Ray tech at Ft. Worth Osteopathic Hospital until she retired. Julia volunteered her time with the Monarch Butterfly Migration, raising Monarch butterflies and plants for them. She loved the outdoors, photography, hunting, and fishing. She was an avid fan of the Dallas...

Jack Eldon Stallo, 81, of Merkel, TX, passed away on February 24, 2024 in Merkel, TX. Jack was born in Merkel, TX to Ben and Lora Stallo on April 6, 1942. Jack graduated from Merkel High School. During high school years and later he worked farming with his dad. He later worked as a painter for several companies in Abilene before retiring. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Debbie, his parents: Lora and Ben Stallo, two brothers: Jerrell and William. Jack is survived by four sisters:...

Brayden Patrick Shockley, 30, of Merkel Texas, passed away on February 20, 2024, in Abilene Texas. Brayden was born in Abilene Texas to David Shockley and Debbie Williams-Ingram on January 24th, 1994. He grew up in Merkel and graduated from Merkel High School in 2012. He married Cassi Shockley on September 29th, 2018, in Merkel Texas. He worked as a service advisor for Caliber Collison. Brayden was a motorcycle enthusiast, volunteer fireman, a darn good cook, a family man, and a guy who...

Eddie Glenn Sandusky, age 87, of Merkel, Texas, passed away on February 15, 2024 in Abilene, Texas.He was born in Mulberry Canyon south of Merkel to Ed and Alwyne (Harris) Sandusky on October 29, 1936. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1955. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Merkel.He married Barbara Terrill on November 25, 1959 in De Leon, Texas. In his younger years he participated in stock shows and rodeos. His business ventures included farming, ranching, working at a...

Dorothy Laverene Paddick, 74, of Noodle, TX passed away on February 14, 2024 in Lubbock, TX. Dorothy was born in Haskell, TX to Sidney and Carolyn “Luree” Flowers on July 28, 1949. She went to school at Noodle High School. She married Gene “Allen” Paddick on July 5, 1989 in Atoka, OK. She worked as a nurse for 25 years, doing home health nursing and working at the Merkel Nursing Center before she retired.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Gene...