Merle Edward Doyle

Merle Edward Doyle August 6, 1923 – September 2, 2006 Merle Edward Doyle, 83, of Elm Mott, Texas, was united with his Lord on Saturday, September 2, 2006. Services will be held at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, September 5 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1301 Hogan Lane I35 and Behrens Circle Exit in Bellmead. Graveside military honors at Waco Memorial North will follow. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday September 4 at the funeral home. Merle was born in Maryland on August 6, 1923 to Thomas Carl Doyle and Blanch Mary Rest Doyle. He started his working life there as a caddy and later worked for the railroad. He served in the United States Air Force as a gunner during World War II. On one of many missions, his plane was shot down. He survived and continued to serve for thirty years, serving through the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. After retirement from the Air Force, he lived in Elm Mott, retiring from the TSTI Maintenance Department as well as run a ceramic shop with his wife Valeta. He loved gardening, both vegetables and flowers as well as enjoyed cooking. After his wife’s death, he became an active Hospice volunteer. He not only visited and transported many patients to appointments and other activities, he earned the title of “cookie man” as he began to bake cookies for new patients. Every Sunday he baked cookies, tied the wrapping with a ribbon and added his special note, “God bless you, from someone who cares.” During this time he married Marjorie Crow. The ten years they shared together was spent working in Hospice, traveling, enjoying their home, garden and birds, and joyfully taking care of each other. Merle was born with many gifts and was a big success in ways that had nothing to do with money. He loved people and loved to help and take care of them. He will be greatly missed because he leaves a rich legacy in the love and care he lavished on so many. His smile and happy disposition made every one feel blessed. He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie Crow Doyle, his step-son John Crow and his wife Chelleye, and his step-daughter Helen Reading, all from the Waco area; one brother, Lewis Doyle of Baltimore, Maryland; Merle is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey