Merrilyn Erle (Bowers) died surrounded by family on January, 18 2025 in Altamonte Springs, Florida at the age of 68.

Merrilyn is survived by her husband Richard, daughter Christy, and sisters Margaret, Madeline of Florida and Jeanie of New York State.

Merrilyn was born on 12/02/1957 in Elmira, New York to Merrill and Carol Bowers. She graduated from Union Springs Academy in 1976, received an Associate's degree from Atlantic Union College in 1978, and earned an LPN license from the state of New York in 1985. She married Richard, the love of her life, in 1985 and were married for 40 years. Merrilyn worked at Sullivan Trail Medical Group for 6 years, then moved to Orlando, Florida and worked at Florida Hospital (Advent Health) starting in 1988. She homeschooled her daughter, Christy, from 8th through 12th grade and was proud that she graduated from Seminole State College as Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree.

"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 (NIV)