Leonard "Bud" Harold Merkle Jr

Leonard "Bud" Harold Merkle Jr, 73, of Kansas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Mercy Health — St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo. Bud was born Jan. 28, 1948, in Fremont, to Martha (Nye) and Leonard Harold Merkle Sr. He married Martha E. Bickelhaupt March 31, 1968. Bud is survived by his loving wife, Martha; four children, Valerie (Joe) Alvarez of Merritt Island, Florida, Geana (Kelly) Whitehead of Merritt Island, Florida, Beverly (Jim) Granger of Fairfield, and Rebecca (Bruce Simkus) Tracy of Woodville; 10 grandchildren, Sarah (Rory) Campbell, Levi Haubert, Nathan (Melissa) Granger, Austin Woronka, Justin Merkle, Madison Woronka, Aria Granger, Tristan Tracy, Marissa Tracy, and Jason Whitehead; five great-grandchildren, Caspian Merkle, Brantley Woronka, Alakai Hebert, Walter Haubert, and Oakley White, and soon to be born Henry Granger; sister, Jacqueline (Gary) Carlyle; and two half-sisters, Diane McCumber and Mary Jane Scherger. Bud was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Robert Merkle. Bud was a professional transportation engineer (truck driver) as an owner/operator. He retired from BOC Gases in 2008. Since then, he worked part-time at Harrold-Floriana Funeral Home. In the 1970s, Bud raced late model stock cars and was a volunteer firefighter for Kansas Fire Department. In 1978, Bud gave his heart to the Lord and became actively involved in his church. Bud was a member of Dillon Road Baptist Church, Fostoria, where he led worship and took care of the church property. He also sang in a southern gospel trio called Glorybound Express for over 25 years. Bud loved to golf, travel, go on cruises with his lovely wife and help his children with all of their home improvement projects. Bud loved people. Nobody was a stranger. He especially loved spending time with his family. A memorial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Dillon Road Baptist Church, Fostoria, with Pastor Allen Minton officiating. Burial will follow at Kansas Cemetery, Kansas. Family and friends will be received 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2021, at Harrold Floriana Funeral Home, Fostoria. There will also be one hour of visitation Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Dillon Road Baptist Missionary Fund, P.O. Box 69, Fostoria 44830. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hffh.net.