Death info on Asher Merkley

Asher Merkley
Photo from the personal album of Doug Merkley- photo cropped from larger image.

According to these documents, the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 19 Jul 1899- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 14 Feb 1974- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

He was 74 years old when he died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SLTrib 1974, Feb 15, p.C2
Found in personal albums of Mark Foster

Obituary transcribed:

Asher Merkley

VERNAL- Asher Merkley, 74, Vernal, died of natural causes Feb. 14, 1974, in a Vernal hospital.

Born July 19, 1899, Vernal, to Nelson Merkley Jr. and Keturah Peterson Merkley.  Married Birda Lewis Aug. 2, 1920, Vernal; solemnized Salt Lake LDS Temple; she died May 12, 1972.  Rancher, stockman.  Past president, Ashley Irrigation Co.

Survivors: sons, daughters, Douglas L., Heber City; Bryce A., Salt Lake City; Mrs. Leo E. (Virginia) Hacking,  Mrs. Arnold R. (Kathyleen) Ahrnsbrak, both Vernal, 11 granchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; brother, sisters, Ellis, Mrs. I. (Mary) Sander, Mrs. Rulon (Margret) Hansen, all Salt Lake City.

Funeral Saturday 11 a.m., Vernal 6th LDS Ward Chapel.  Friends call Vernal Mortuary Friday 7-9 p.m., Saturday 10-10:45 a.m.  Burial, Vernal City Memorial Park.

Local obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1974, Feb 21, p.16

Local obituary transcribed:
Vernal man honored at memorial services
Services were held Saturday for Asher Merkley, 74, who died in the Uintah County Hospital February 14.
HE WAS born July 19, 1899 in Vernal to Nelson Merkley, Jr. and Keturah Peterson Merkley.  He married Birda Lewis August 2, 1920 in Vernal.  The marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  She preceeded him in death May 8, 1972.
He was a rancher and stockman, served an LDS mission to Texas 1963-65 with his wife, served a stake mission, high priest of Vernal Sixth Ward, home teacher, served as president of Elders Quorum, served in the Scouting program, past president of Ashley Irrigation Company and was director for over 20 years and a former member of the Lions Club.
SURVIVORS: two sons, two daughters, Douglas L., Heber City; Bryce A., Salt Lake City; Mrs. Arnold (Kathyleen) Ahrnsbrak and Mrs. Leo E. (Virginia) Hacking, Vernal; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one brother, two sisters, Ellis Merkley, Salt Lake City; Mrs. I. (Mary) Sander; Mrs. Rulon (Margret) Hansen, both of Salt Lake City.
Burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Vernal Mortuary.
Bishop Sheldon Galley officiated at the services, which were held in the Vernal Sixth Ward Chapel February 16 at 11 a.m.
FAMILY PRAYER was by Douglas L. Merkley, son of the deceased.  Prelude and postlude music was by Theda Murray.  The first musical, "Abide With Me Tis Eventide:, was a violin solo by Richard D. Merkley (grandson) and he was accompanied by his mother, Merlene D. Merkley.
Invocation was by a grandson, David R. Ahrnsbrak, with remarks by Bishop Galley.  The first speaker was Bryce A. Merkley, son of the deceased.  Don Walker, Lois Erickson and Marva Lent sang the second musical, "Faith Unlocks the Doors".  They were accompanied by Ruth Walker.
The concluding speaker was Ben Lindsey.  He was followed by Lenore Nielsen (niece) was played an organ solo, "Whispering Hope" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." Benediction was by Edwin M. Hacking, grandson.
DEDICATION OF the grave was by Leo E. Hacking (son-in-law).  Pallbearer: Don Hullinger, Christon Merkley, Kevin Merkley, Arnold Ahrnsbrak, Mel Ryan, and Ray Anderson.  Honorary pallbearers were High Priests of the Vernal, Utah and Ashley Stakes.  Burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery.
Out-of-town guests were Mr. and Mrs. J. Clive Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Val Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Clair Fletcher, Aird Merkley, Mary Sander, Margret Hansen, June Hosford, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Colton, Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Merkley, Hugo Hullinger, Don Hullinger, and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Lund and family, all of Salt Lake City.
Ben Lindsey, Bountiful; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Nielsen, Mona, Utah; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Dudley, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Dudley, all of Randlett; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Randell Schear, Mr. and Mrs. Mel Ryan, Josie Hicken, Boyde Luke, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ceiter, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Merkley and family, all of Heber.
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Merkley, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Merkley, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Merkley, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Merkley, all of Duchesne; Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hacking, Moab, E. Paul Hullinger and son of Smithfield, Utah.  Arnold Ahrnsbrak, Kewunce, Wisconsin.
*Spelling and punctuation corrected wherein I was aware.

 As Asher died within the last 50 years, his death certificate will not become publicly available until around the year 2024.  At that time I will add it onto this post.