Carolyn Lee Merkle

Carolyn Lee Kinder Merkle was born on October 2, 1948, in Baltimore, MD. She entered the gates of heaven on January 11, 2026, at age 77, surrounded by family in Bowling Green, KY.

On April 4th, 1970 (55 years ago), Carolyn married the love of her life, Donald Leslie Merkle at Christ Lutheran Church in Millersville, MD. Together, they lived in Millersville, MD until June 11, 2019, when they moved to Bowling Green, KY to spend time with their youngest grandson.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, August and Eva (Foerster) Kinder.

In addition to her husband, Donald, Carolyn is survived by her children, Kimberly Clemmer (Noel), William Merkle (Nancy), and George Merkle (Jennifer). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jay Stine IV, Katie Grandon (Brady), Sarah Merkle and August Merkle; and six great-grandchildren, Emma Grandon, Skyler Reed, Virginia Grandon, Leland Grandon, Ember Cole and Joanna Grandon.

She is also survived by two sisters, Sharon Warfield and Delores Snow (Gilbert); and a special lifelong best friend, Betty Lou Amrhein (William), along with many nieces and nephews. Her brother-in-law, Wayne Warfield Sr., preceded her in death.

Carolyn, also known as ¨Mommom¨ to many, was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, KY. In her later years, she developed a love for raising chickens with her husband and would share many chicken eggs with friends and family. Carolyn was full of life and compassion. She was a giving, loving and witty person who would light up a room with her laughter. She was a Sunday school leader, church secretary and served as president of the Secretaries for Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where she retired from. She previously served as president of Earleigh Heights Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and Anne Arundel County Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Her hands were never idle, between doing activities with her children and grandchildren, to cooking her famous Maryland Crab Soup, to taking care of her family.

Carolyn will be forever remembered and loved by many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice House of southern Kentucky.

Services will be held on Friday, January 23rd, 11:30 AM, at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, PA, 1 2nd Ave SW, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.