MANCHESTER – Reverend Lawrence Edward “Bud” Merckens of Manchester, Maine passed from this life on November 15, 2023, at Oak Grove Rehabilitation, Waterville. Raised in Buffalo, New York where he was born on April 11, 1935, Mr. Merckens was associated with the family chocolate business until 1960 when he began his studies at Bangor Theological Seminary. Following completion of his seminary studies and further study at the University of Maine he and his family moved to Hallowell in May 1964 to serve as pastor of the Old South Congregational Church, a position he held through August 1975.

In September 1975, along with becoming the pastor of the Riverside Congregational Church in Vassalboro where he served until Easter 2019, Mr. Merckens also directed the Cooperative Education program at Hall-Dale High School until 1976. Later that same year he became the coordinator of student work experience for alternative education students at Cony High School, a position he held until June 1999. Since his retirement from public secondary education, along with his pastoral interests and responsibilities he consistently served as an instructor of Ethics and Interpersonal Communication courses through the University of Maine at Augusta at learning centers in Rumford/Mexico, Lewiston/Auburn, Bath/Brunswick as well as Augusta.

A person with many interests, Mr. Merckens found working with persons most fulfilling and tried always to be available for persons seeking his advice regarding career choices or changes, more effective personal communication skills and harmonious relationship techniques, hunger, consumer justice, environmental issues, and spiritual realities.

He and his wife Hilda Sperber Merckens were married in August 1959. In addition to being survived by his beloved Hilda, are their daughter Heidi Merckens Chadbourne of Manchester, their son Ernst August Merckens III (named for his paternal grandfather) and his partner Susan Sites of Belgrade, a grandson, Jeffery Tyler Merckens of Jefferson and his wife Jill, and his former son-in-law Steven A. Chadbourne of Wales, two nieces Carol Lee Chappell and Phoebe Dreux Chappell.

He was predeceased by his parents Ernst August Merckens, Jr. and Alice (Hoffman) Merckens, and his sister Alice Merckens Chappell.

Very much missed, but deeply appreciated will be Bud’s sense of humor, obvious impatience with malarkey, concern for others, and that responsibility to whom much is given much is required.

He went forward from life peacefully and with an enthusiasm of an explorer committed to learning more about an area which he had already thought much about and studied and was ready to explore confidently himself.

While there will be no funeral service an opportunity to celebrate the life of Mr. Merckens is being planned. A time and place will be announced later.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

Persons desiring to remember Mr. Merckens can appropriately do so by contributing in his memory to Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72203 or a charity of one’s choice.

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