Bonita “Bonnie” H Merkel Summers of Frizzellburg, Md. died on Wednesday morning, June 9, 2010, at Gilchrist Inpatient Hospice Center at Baltimore, Md. after a brave, year-long battle with Leukemia. She was born March 4, 1943 in Baltimore, daughter of the late Walter and Thelma Merkel.
Bonnie grew up in Sparks and Reisterstown, Maryland, graduating from Franklin High School, Reisterstown. She graduated from Towson University with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education. She taught elementary school in Baltimore County for over 30 years. After retirement from Baltimore County, she worked for ten years as a Home and Hospital Teacher in Carroll County.
Surviving family members include her husband of five years, Alan L. Summers, a retired Citicorp Vice President and President of Carroll Gardens, devoted and loving daughter, Lisa M. Stalnaker and her fiancé Darell “Terry” Jackson of Edgewood, MD., brother Gene Merkel and his wife Carol of Timonium, sister Deborah and her husband David Brant, Monkton, Md. and nieces Jill Merkel, Lauren O’Malley and her husband Matt, aunt Gertrude and uncle Bill Teves of Catonsville and some cousins.
Bonnie was an active member of Emmanuel Baust United Church of Christ, near Westminster. She had served on the church council, was active in the adult Sunday School class, sang in the Choir, chaired the Altar Committee, and served in a variety of other volunteer capacities in and through the church. She was active in the wider United Church of Christ, serving as a member of the Church and Ministry Commission of the Catoctin Association, Central Atlantic Conference of the UCC. She was an active participant in work in the ecumenical community through Caring and Sharing Ministries of Northwest Carroll County. She was a faithful supporter of the people and programs of the church in the community setting and beyond. She is remembered a full of faith and hospitality, kindness and generosity. She was a friend and supporter of people of all ages. Bonnie at one time was a loving owner of a horse she named “Bold Edge” and was fond of her cats (“Jelly Bean, Pumpkin, Sunshine, and Tabby”). She loved reading, doing crossword puzzles, and being with friends and family.
Funeral arrangements are by Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminster, Maryland. There will be visitation at the funeral home on Thursday evening, 7 – 9 p.m. On Friday, visitation will be 2 – 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish to do so may join a funeral procession to Emmanuel Baust United Church of Christ, 2930-2950 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, Maryland, for a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance beginning in the Sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. with her Pastor, Rev. Gerald D. Fuss, officiating. All are invited to share an informal fellowship with a meal at the church’s Parish Hall next door to the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. A private service of interment will be scheduled for Emmanuel Baust Church Cemetery with date and time yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be sent to her church, Emmanuel Baust United Church of Christ, 2950 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, MD 21158.
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Bonnie grew up in Sparks and Reisterstown, Maryland, graduating from Franklin High School, Reisterstown. She graduated from Towson University with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education. She taught elementary school in Baltimore County for over 30 years. After retirement from Baltimore County, she worked for ten years as a Home and Hospital Teacher in Carroll County.
Surviving family members include her husband of five years, Alan L. Summers, a retired Citicorp Vice President and President of Carroll Gardens, devoted and loving daughter, Lisa M. Stalnaker and her fiancé Darell “Terry” Jackson of Edgewood, MD., brother Gene Merkel and his wife Carol of Timonium, sister Deborah and her husband David Brant, Monkton, Md. and nieces Jill Merkel, Lauren O’Malley and her husband Matt, aunt Gertrude and uncle Bill Teves of Catonsville and some cousins.
Bonnie was an active member of Emmanuel Baust United Church of Christ, near Westminster. She had served on the church council, was active in the adult Sunday School class, sang in the Choir, chaired the Altar Committee, and served in a variety of other volunteer capacities in and through the church. She was active in the wider United Church of Christ, serving as a member of the Church and Ministry Commission of the Catoctin Association, Central Atlantic Conference of the UCC. She was an active participant in work in the ecumenical community through Caring and Sharing Ministries of Northwest Carroll County. She was a faithful supporter of the people and programs of the church in the community setting and beyond. She is remembered a full of faith and hospitality, kindness and generosity. She was a friend and supporter of people of all ages. Bonnie at one time was a loving owner of a horse she named “Bold Edge” and was fond of her cats (“Jelly Bean, Pumpkin, Sunshine, and Tabby”). She loved reading, doing crossword puzzles, and being with friends and family.
Funeral arrangements are by Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminster, Maryland. There will be visitation at the funeral home on Thursday evening, 7 – 9 p.m. On Friday, visitation will be 2 – 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish to do so may join a funeral procession to Emmanuel Baust United Church of Christ, 2930-2950 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, Maryland, for a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance beginning in the Sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. with her Pastor, Rev. Gerald D. Fuss, officiating. All are invited to share an informal fellowship with a meal at the church’s Parish Hall next door to the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. A private service of interment will be scheduled for Emmanuel Baust Church Cemetery with date and time yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be sent to her church, Emmanuel Baust United Church of Christ, 2950 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, MD 21158.