Jason E. Merkley

Jason Edward Merkley, age 47, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, at his home in Des Moines.

Jason was born August 19, 1976, in Des Moines, Iowa to John Merkley and Louvina Holtz.

After losing his father at the age of three and followed by many deaths of very precious family and friends, Jason struggled with his mental health and addictions which began in his teenage years. No matter how hard he tried going to therapy, treatment, and AA on multiple occasions, his vicious disease would not let him go until he was gone to be with our precious Lord and all of those that preceded him. One of his best friends and his psychologist, Mike Hopkins, has been with Jason since his youth and he explains that he was able to walk away from his addictions for periods of time, but could not hold up as consistently as his downward spiral would lead him back to challenging situations and problems with coping. Jason was a member of Lutheran Church of Hope and he loves the Lord! The family finds comfort knowing that he is no longer suffering.

Jason graduated from Southeast Polk High School. Over the years he worked as an apprentice electrician, tile setter, granite and marble salesman, service advisor, and many other part-time jobs to help friends and family with their businesses. He idolized his son, Mason, and took every opportunity he could to brag about him. Skateboarding was their favorite thing to do together in earlier years. Most recently, Jason loved being involved while Mason and Kaycee restored their bus into a traveling home. The three of them were looking forward to his visit to their home in Utah. His love for his sister was profound and he adored her for her views and her career success. His favorite pastime and personal therapy to clear his head was to ride his bike around the city of Des Moines, always stopping to visit friends and family along the way. He frequently visited his special hill at Laurel Hill Cemetery to look over the city of Des Moines and meditate. He took it upon himself to restore and clean up stones that needed attention. Jason will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him. There are so many very close friends, too numerous to list, that loved Jason. Everyone will tell you he had a huge heart and went out of his way to help others, often when he himself could have used the help. He never knew a stranger and always opened his home to those struggling or needing a place to sleep.

He is survived by his son, Mason Merkley (Kaycee Reed) of Logan, UT; mother and father, Louvina and Jim Holtz; brothers, John Merkley, Jr. of Shamong, NJ, Mike Holtz of Bondurant, IA, and Doug Holtz of Long Beach, CA; sister, Amanda Holtz of Des Moines, IA; uncles, Dan Lettington of Des Moines, IA and Bob (Ann) Merkley of Polk City, IA; and nieces and nephew, Ashley Merkley, Avery Merkley, and Nathan Holtz. Jason’s dog, Ruby, was his best companion and misses him as much as all of his survivors.

Jason was preceded in death by his father, John Merkley, Sr.; grandparents, Dean and Nadene Lettington, and Sam and Dorothy Merkley; as his uncle, Gary Merkley.

Services will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Luncheon will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Celebrate Recovery, Lutheran Church of Hope, or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in loving memory of Jason.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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