Ronald L. Merkel, 70, of Emmaus, passed away June 29, 2016. He was the husband of Carol (Oels) Merkel, with whom he celebrated 51 years of marriage. "Opa" was born in Emmaus, the son of the late Sterling and Esther (Haas) Merkel. He was a 1963 graduate of Emmaus High School and a graduate of Moravian College. He worked as a General Foreman of Labor and Construction at Bethlehem Steel for 26 years, worked for F. A. Rohrbach, and was the Manager of Field Services for F.L. Smidth before retiring in 2011. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Valley of Allentown Scottish Rite Masons, Emmaus Lodge #792 F&AM and a member of the Emmaus Rotary Club. Opa enjoyed sports, had a passion for reading, and was an avid bicyclist and golfer. His favorite time was spent with family on vacations at Disney World and Ocean City, NJ, as well as traveling with friends.

Survivors: Loving wife, Carol; Son, Christopher Merkel and wife Ashley of Frisco, TX; Daughter, Tracy wife of Michael Wanyo of Allentown; Brother, Jeffery Merkel and wife Marin of Fairbanks, AK; Grandchildren, Alex and Emily Merkel and Mia and Cole Wanyo; and his beloved yellow lab, Maggie. He was predeceased by a sister, Judith Feinour.

Services: Funeral Services Tue., July 5, 2016 at 10:30 AM in Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., 250 Main St., Emmaus. Viewing 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Northwood Cemetery, Emmaus.

Contributions: Contributions may be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at https://mskcc.org/ , the National Marrow Donor Program at https://BeTheMatch.org/ or St. John's Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut St., Emmaus.