Joseph (Joe) George Merck

Mr. Joseph “Joe” George Merck, age 81, passed away on Sunday, May 8th, 2016 at his home in Jefferson, GA following an extended illness.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyt and Bertha Merck; daughter, Melinda Owens; son, Melvin Merck; daughter-in-law, Sheri Merck; sister, Martha Wright; brothers, James “Jim” Merck and Raymond “Larry” Merck. Mr. Merck is survived by his wife, Morene Fauscett Merck; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Kathy Merck; daughter, Marsha Merck; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Mildred Ann and Danny Poole; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vernon and Linda Merck; John and Jane Merck; Doug and Maudeen Merck; and Richard and Beverly Merck.
Born on November 9th, 1934, Joe spent his childhood on the family farm in Hall County. As the oldest boy of nine siblings, Joe spent many days helping his father and mother provide food for the family. Joe’s father, Hoyt, would often share their harvest with the less fortunate families in the community. Throughout his adolescent years and into adulthood, Joe also worked for his father building houses in and around Gainesville, GA. In his twenties, Joe took a job working for H. Steel, traveling around the southeast building feed mills. After he helped construct the Eshelman Feed Mill in Doraville, GA, he took a job as a maintenance worker at the mill. Joe lived with his wife and four kids in Doraville until 1970 when he moved his family to Gillsville, GA where he opened Joe and Doug’s Truck Equipment alongside his brother, Doug.

In 1976, the Lord called him to minister to the needy. Joe established the Community Baptist Mission in Gillsville, GA where he took in homeless individuals and families; providing food, shelter, work and a healthy dose of Jesus Christ. Joe worked with hospitals, police departments and the court systems to ensure that anyone in need would be able to find refuge. Joe would often seek out homeless individuals and families by searching areas such as bridges and homeless campgrounds in and around Gainesville. After selling his half of Joe and Doug’s in 1987, Joe founded and operated Three Star Salvage and Restoration which specialized in scraping abandoned boats on Lake Lanier. This new endeavor helped fund the Mission and provide jobs to the homeless who stayed there.

Due to his work with the homeless, Joe was honored in Atlanta, GA where he received the Stone Soup Award in 1993. In 2008, Riverbend Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA opened a food pantry and aptly named it Joe’s Place in honor of Joe’s ministry.
Joe was saved as a 9 year old boy at Calvary Baptist Church and he shared his faith with everyone he met. Joe faithfully served in numerous churches during his life, including; Riverbend Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Harmony Hall Baptist, Diamond Hill Baptist, Buford Highway Baptist, Solid Rock Baptist, Sugar Hill Baptist and Cave Springs Baptist. As a reverend, Joe also held regular church services at the Mission for the homeless.
A man with a true servant’s heart, unwavering faith and a staunch resilience to life’s tribulations, Joe will be forever remembered for his homeless ministry and the tens of thousands of lives he touched during the 40 plus years he faithfully served those in need.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 from 4:00p-6:00p and from 7:00p-9:00p at Ward’s Funeral Home (758 Main St SW, Gainesville, GA 30501) in Gainesville, GA.

Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, May 15th, 2016 at 3:00pm. The body will lie in state from 2:30p-3:00p at Solid Rock Baptist Church (52 Deadwyler Rd., Maysville, GA 30558) in Maysville, GA. Interment immediately following in the church cemetery. Pastor Richard Merck and Reverend Doug Merck will officiate.

Memorial donations in memory of Joe may be made to Joe’s Place at Riverbend, 1715 Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Condolences may be made online at wardsfh.com Ward's Funeral Home 758 Main Street S.W. Gainesville in charge of arrangements.