Merilan D. Farley

Obituary - Merilan Delores Farley

After a long battle with illness, a caring sister, mother, and grandmother entered Gods’ loving arms on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the age of 75. She was born on January 1,1949 to the late William and Naomi Farley in Chicago, IL and was named after her grandmother Merilan Simmons who has proceeded her in death.

Merilan accepted Christ at an early age at Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago, IL under the pastorate of Jospeh H. Jackson

Merilan moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1983 to provide a better life for her children and herself. She lived a good life and felt truly blessed. As a beloved mother, and a cherished sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law, she will be remembered as an intelligent, kind, and loving soul that enjoyed helping everyone that she could. As a mother, her vibrant spirit will be particularly missed by her children.

Outside of her family she worked for many years assisting families with the Milwaukee County Department of Children and Family Services until her retirement. She graduated from Forestville High School in Chicago, IL and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Springfield College at the exciting age of 51. Some of the things that made Merilan unique was that she was a published author (“Fear at Large” and “The Beginning”) and loved to fish and paint.

Merilan is survived by children Roger Farley, Ray (Judith) Parks, Damien (Kathryn) Parks, Andrea (Herb) Ball; brother William (Shelia) Farley; sister Alvalyn (Anthony) Gardner, nine grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews 

She was preceded in death by her mother Naomi Farley, father Walter L. Neal, and brother Cecil H. Farley.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday November 16, 2024, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590. A viewing will be from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the funeral home on Saturday.

“To my reader I hope that you will enjoy The Beginning. Each day is just the beginning of a new day. Only if you believe in yourself” ~Merilan

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com