Paul William Merkel, Sr., 83, of Natrona Heights, PA, died on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Cabot, PA.

Paul was born on Monday, February 15, 1932 in Oil City, PA to the late Albert and Elizabeth (Bronder) Merkel.  He worked as a riverboat captain on the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers for 50 years before his retirement in 2000.  He was a member of the Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights.

Paul is survived by his wife Regina M. (Miller) Merkel; his children: Paul Merkel, Jr. of Washington, WV; Thomas (Barbara) Merkel of Saudi Arabia; Janine (Lawrence) Fanelli of Titusville, PA; Stephen Merkel of Natrona Heights; and Christine (Joseph) Pekny of West Lafayette, IN; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother: Albert Merkel of Garland, TX; and lots of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 sisters: Mildred Kircher, Lois and Elizabeth Merkel.

Family and Friends are invited from 2-4 and 7-9 on Friday, January 1 to the ROBERT PETERS FUNERAL HOME INC., 1521 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065 (724-224-7730) where parting prayer services will be on Saturday, January 2 at 9:00 AM.  Mass of Christian burial will follow in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1526 Union Avenue, Natrona Heights, PA 15065, with the Reverend James Mazurek as celebrant.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, South Buffalo Twp.  For online condolences please visit www.petersfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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