Mrs. Dorothy Marie Merkey, age 81, of Ludington, passed away Monday, March 21, 2016. She was born April 14, 1934, in Bear Lake to David and Regina (Kowalski) Garey. Dorothy attended school and married Roy Merkey on May 6, 1957 at St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington; they were married twenty-six years before his passing on January 24, 1984.

Dorothy loved her dogs, Tippy, Rascal, and Marguarita; she volunteered at the Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital and received her 2000 hour volunteer pin; she also collected and cut labels for Ludington Area Catholic School; was a Eucharistic minister, and also visited the sick and shut in parishioners. She enjoyed flower gardening and knitting. Dorothy was also a member of St. Simon Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters and the Altar Society.

Dorothy is survived by two sons, William R. Merkey of Ludington and Robert R. Merkey of Scottville, sister, Phyllis Trowbridge of Mesick; step-mother, Marion Garey of Whitehall; step-brother, Roger Knapp; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy; daughter, Diane Merkey; three sisters, Betty Vitucki, Barbara Clark, Sally Dorr; three brothers, Fred Garey, Jerry Garey and Don Dulinski.

The Mass of Resurrection for Mrs. Merkey will be offered Thursday, March 24, 2016, at 11:00 am at St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington with Father Wayne B. Wheeler Jr. officiating. Interment will be in Pere Marquette Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday one hour prior to the service at St. Simon Catholic Church, 702 East Bryant Road, Ludington, MI. The family requests that any memorials be directed to St. Simon Food Pantry, 702 E. Bryant Road, Ludington, MI 49431 or Mass intentions.