Edgar Kent Merkle

Edgar Kent Merkle of Chestertown, MD died peacefully on February 4, 2026. He was 88. He was born in Washington, D.C. on March 23, 1937, the son of the late Edgar A. and Kathleen Merkle and brother of the late Shirley Ritter. Kent graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School (1955) and Georgetown University (1959). He served his country from 1961 to 1963 as a Lieutenant in the United States Army. Thereafter, he began his career in publishing at the family business, Merkle Press. In the early 1970’s, he left Merkle Press to form a partnership which launched a new publishing company where he stayed until his retirement in 1990. He married Carole Nadine Suffridge in 1962. They enjoyed a beautiful union until her death in 2023. Kent took a great interest in Catholic education and served as a Trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Mater Dei School in Bethesda, MD and served as a Trustee at Georgetown Preparatory School. In 1998, he was honored to have received the Insignis Medal from Georgetown Prep. The Insignis Medal, rooted in the Jesuit tradition of “Insignis in domino” — meaning “outstanding service to the Lord” — celebrates exceptional dedication to community and faith. He was a member of Columbia Country Club, Congressional Country Club, Burning Tree Club, and Chester River Country Club. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Early in his life he had a great passion for golf with a scratch handicap. However, Kent found other ways to spend his time when he and Carole bought a farm in Kent County, MD in 1984 and relocated from Chevy Chase, MD permanently in 1998. His interests turned to the farm and the wildlife on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A life-long fan of barbershop quartet music, he joined three other enthusiasts and joyfully sang barbershop for a number of years at local events. He also was proud to have been a member of the Chester River Chorale and enjoyed singing and making music. Kent deeply embraced the motto of being a “man for others” and was loved by all. He will be dearly missed for his affection, humor, intellect, sage advice, and cooking without a recipe. He is survived by his children: Melanie Merkle Sieber (Kurt) of Chestertown, MD and Phillip Merkle (Debbie) of Bethesda, MD, his grandchildren: Gregory Sieber, Brooke Maxey (Garrett), Madeline Merkle, and Brian Merkle, his great grandchild: Kent Richard Maxey, and nephew: Lee Ritter (Gina). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 14th at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Chestertown, MD. The service will be steamed live -streamed. Relatives and friends are welcome to call at the church one hour prior to the service (9:00AM-10:00AM). Private interment will be in Old St. Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kent’s name to the Animal Care Shelter of Kent County, 10168 Worton Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Edgar Kent Merkle

March 23, 1937 - February 4, 2026