Darryl Francis Merle was born to John Michael Merle and Eldean Charlotte Merle on July 10, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. Darryl passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2024 surrounded by family. He was 82.

He is preceded in death by his father John Michael Merle, his mother Eldean Merle and his brother Bertram John Merle.

He was raised in Chicago, Illinois until his family moved to Tulsa in 1952. He graduated from Edison High School and he attended the University of Tulsa. Darryl met the love if his life Linda Lou Brown through mutual friends, David and Jane Weyneth. Darryl and Linda married on May 31, 1963 at Christ the King Church. She passed away on September 20, 2022. They were married for 59 years. Together they had four children, Christopher Lynn, Kellie Anne, Deborah Jane, and Bertram "Neil".

He was an avid sports fan. He was lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, but also a fan of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears. He was a fan of University of Tulsa sports, football and basketball. The Tulsa Drillers baseball team and the original Tulsa Oilers hockey team. He actively supported his children and grandchildren who participated in sports, football, baseball, and soccer. He had been a Cub Scout Den Master and supported other activities like Boy Scouts, band and mission trips.

He went to work for Humpty Dumpty until they went out of business in the 1970's. He stayed in the grocery business for most of his working years. He worked as a delivery driver for Dolly Madison, He also worked at Sipes, Bud's, and retired at Petty's Fine Foods. He then volunteered working in Madelene and later Catholic Charities in retirement.

Both Darryl and Linda traveled multiple times to Europe to Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, The Vatican, and Ireland. He enjoyed attending Tulsa's Oktoberfest. He and Linda could often be seen dancing to the polkas and Chicken Dance. They also traveled to at least 26 of the lower 48 states.

He is survived by his sister Patti Weathered, brothers Michael and James Merle, half-brother Kenneth Merle, and step-brother Jim Sampson; His four children, Christopher Merle and wife Melissa, Kellie Redman and husband Don, Deborah Powell and husband Rex, and Neil Merle and wife Jennifer; six grandchildren, Garrett Davis and wife Tarah, Cody Davis, Derrick Powell, Maxwell Merle, Emmalyne Merle, and Dylan Merle; four step-grandchildren, Ty and William Powell and Katie and Kyle Redman, and one great-grandchild, Garrison Davis (and another on the way).

Services will be held on Saturday, June 15 at the Church of the Madalene in Tulsa, OK, with Viewing at 9am; Rosary at 9:30am; and Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Graveside services will be at 2:00pm at Timpson Chapel near Vinita, OK. He will be interred next to his late wife and mother of his children.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Catholic Charities (< https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ >)
would be our father's wish.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151