Marilyn Merk

Marilyn Merk, the Loving Mother of Marjorie Cole, John and Yih-ting Merk, grandmother to Marilyn and Charles, Alphonse and Lydia, great grandmother of Aria, faithful and devoted wife of the late Stephen Merk, daughter of blessed Miriam and Alphonse Piacente, Sr., and sister to Joanne Picone and Alphonse “Buster” Piacente, Jr., all resting in the Peace of Christ, comforting one another in Love as we are here, was saved out of this fallen world, through the Mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mom had the Heart and Hands of Christ, comforting those in despair and feeding everyone, anytime, always.

Marilyn and her husband, Stephen, were business owners and operators of their own, “Steffen’s Hair Salon” for 41 years in Wickliffe. Marilyn then went on to “Scissorhands Salon” from 2006 to 2016.
Marilyn and Steve were partners together in marriage for 46 years, united in family life and Catholic Faith. Their service and dedication, and love of Christ and inspiring, prayerful liturgical music began at St. John of the Cross, formerly St. Felicitas, in Richmond Hts., where they were also married. Steve was the organist and choir director, and Marilyn a beautiful alto voice. In 2003, they transferred parish to Willoughby Immaculate Conception Church and its choir, under the direction of Mr. Michael Kelley, from 2003 until 2016.

Moving from Willoughby Hills to Perry in 2016, Marilyn joined her son John in the music ministry at St. Cyprian Parish…and were together as recently as 2 weeks ago, overcoming every challenge, in choir and during Mass, Singing to the Lord a New Song, for He Has Done Marvelous Deeds. Our service together was a special blessing to both of us, and Mom was glad to say, “The family that prays and sings together, stays together in Christ.” Marilyn was a gifted teacher, skillfully educating young PSR students in our Catholic Faith at both Immaculate Conception and St. Cyprian. This was important to her.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 pm, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at St Cyprian Church, 4223 Middle Ridge Road, Perry, Ohio 44081. Friends and family may arrive for a calling hour prior to Mass, at 11am. Behm Family Funeral Home is caring for Marilyn and her family.