Allen J. Merkes, 1961-2014

MERKES, ROLING, HELBING, HILBY

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/26/2015 at 13:55:03

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Allen J. Merkes, 52, of Dubuque, died at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014, at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Services for Allen will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 9, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley, Iowa, with the Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Burial will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Farley. Friends and relatives of Allen may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Reiff Funeral Home, 303 First Ave. N.W., Farley, where there will be a wake service held at 5 p.m.

Allen was born on July 18, 1961, in Dubuque, son of John and Lucille (Roling) Merkes. He attended St. Mary's school in Dubuque, and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1980.

Allen was employed at Eagle Window & Door in Dubuque, where he enjoyed working with his many friends.

He enjoyed Nascar and watching sports. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with his dogs, Miller and Peanut.

He is survived by parents, John and Lucille Merkes, of Dubuque; his siblings, Sheila (Jerry) Helbing, of Dubuque, Carl (Anne) Merkes, of Chesapeake, Va., and Sara (Tim) Hilby, of Dubuque; his nieces and nephews, Hollie Helbing, Cody Merkes, Brittany Helbing, Nathan Helbing, Samantha Hilby, Sierra Merkes, Keith Hilby, Clayton Hilby, Garrett Helbing and Jesse Hilby; his girlfriend, Penny Hogan, of Dubuque; many aunts, uncles and cousins; special friends, Lemarr and Mary Cook, Ed Arnesdorf, Amber Randall and Eric Randall.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffunerlahomeinc.com

Allen's family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque, Helping Hands, the staff at Mercy Hospital and the many friends who offered support during the past couple months.