Obituary of Merle Wimberley

Merle C. Wimberley, 91, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, August 24, 2012 at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. Merle was born in Sydney, Australia. She met her husband, U.S. Army Captain Joseph G. Wimberley, during World War II and came to the U.S. in 1945. Merle was an army wife and had lived in San Antonio, Texas; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Stuttgart, Germany; Camp Kilmer, New Jersey; Hampton Roads, Virginia. For almost 45 years, she resided in Menlo Park Terrace, New Jersey, before moving to Jacksonville in 2005. She was a manager in retail sales for Macy's (formerly Bamberger's) at Menlo Park Mall for over twenty years retiring in 1985. In retirement, Merle volunteered at the J.F.K. Medical Center in Edison. She was a former member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Metuchen, and was a den mother to many Cub Scout Troops in Menlo Park. Merle was an avid swimmer and spent many hours in the pool at the YMCA in Metuchen. She was a member of the World War II War Brides Association, Australia. Merle was a beloved, admired and vibrant woman who carried herself with dignity and class. She had an admiration for the arts, culture, and fashion, and enjoyed spending time at the beach and shopping. Merle took pleasure in a good book or movie, but most of all she had a love for life. Merle was predeceased by her husband, Joseph G. Wimberley, Jr.; two sons, Mark and Stephen; a brother, Fred; and a sister, Marjorie. She is survived by two sons, Joseph G. Wimberley, III and his wife, Donna of Jacksonville, Florida and Keith D. Wimberley and his wife, Ivelisse of Farmingdale, New Jersey; four grandchildren, Joseph G. "Jay" Wimberley, IV and his wife, Fatemeh of Highland Park, Illinois, Ivy Wimberley of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Meryl Wimberley of New York City, New York and Eva Wimberley of Farmingdale, New Jersey; a sister-in-law, Annette Flowers of Plano, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. Gathering at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, New Jersey on Thursday, September 6, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Friday, September 7, 2012 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 31 Asbury Road, Farmingdale, NJ. Inurnment will follow in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle New Jersey Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Arneytown, New Jersey. For those who desire, memorial contributions in memory of Merle may be made to the Community Hospice/Foundation Department of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257 and would be appreciated. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.