A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Elizabeth Merkel, D.C., was celebrated April 17, 2019, at The Sarah Community’s Marian Chapel in Bridgeton, Mo.; burial followed at Marillac Cemetery in Normandy, Mo. Sister Elizabeth died on April 14, 2019, at The Sarah Community in Bridgeton. She was 88 years of age and 70 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born February 16, 1931, in St. Louis, Mo., Sister Elizabeth (baptized Lois Jane) was one of three girls born to John George and Elizabeth J. (Smith) Merkel. Sister was a 1948 graduate of Laboure High School, St. Louis, Mo. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Fontbonne College, St. Louis, Mo., in 1959 and her Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola University, New Orleans, La., in 1971.
Sister Elizabeth entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis from St. Philip Neri Parish in January 1949. Following initial formation, Sister Elizabeth served as a Primary Teacher at St. Thomas School, Long Beach, Miss., (1950 to 1954); then, was missioned to St. Joseph Grade School in New Orleans, La., (1954 to 1956) where she served as a Middle School Teacher. Sister Elizabeth continued her service as a Primary Teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Grade School, San Francisco, Calif., (1956 to 1957); St. Thomas Grade School, Long Beach, Miss., (1957 to 1964); St. Boniface School, Perryville, Mo., where she also served as Principal (1964 to 1966 and 1975 to 1983); and St. Joseph Grade School, New Orleans, La., (1966 to 1975). Sister was missioned to Our Lady of Victory, Beeville, Tex., (1983 to 1989) to serve as an Elementary Principal before returning to serve as a Primary Teacher at St. Mary Central Catholic School, Odessa, Tex., (1989 to 1994) and St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Louis, Mo., (1994 to 1996). In 1996, Sister Elizabeth returned to St. Mary Central Catholic School in Odessa as a Primary Teacher (1996 to 2001) and, later, Religion Teacher, (2001 to 2006).
In 2006, Sister Elizabeth served as Docent at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg, Md.; then, was missioned to St. Joseph School, Edinburg, Tex., where she served as a Tutor for Religious Education, (2007 to 2011). In 2011, Sister Elizabeth entered the Ministry of Prayer at The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, Mo., where she served until the time of her death.
Sister Elizabeth twice served in Texas as Local Community Superior; at Our Lady of Victory Residence in Beeville, (1983 to 1989), and St. Mary Residence in Odessa, (1990 to 1994). Sister Elizabeth also served on two Boards in New Orleans, La.; DePaul Hospital, (1965 to 1966) and Hotel Dieu, (1972 to 1973).
Sister Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Lorraine Fox. She is survived by her sister, Rose Foshage, nephew Dr. Glenn Fox, and niece Kim Winschel; many friends; and her Sisters in Community.