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Merlyn Mantle Obituary
Mantle, Merlyn Merlyn Louise Mantle, widow of New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2009, in Plano. She was 77. She was born January 28, 1932, in Cardin, Oklahoma to Giles and Reba Johnson. Merlyn and Mickey met two years before he debuted in the major leagues, while both were still in high school. She attended Commerce High School in northeast Oklahoma, where she was a cheerleader. The Mantles' first date was a movie along Route 66 in Miami, OK. They were married on Dec. 23, 1951 until he passed away on Aug. 13, 1995. The Mantles had four children, Mickey, Jr., David, Billy, and Danny. She co-wrote a 1996 memoir of Mr. Mantle, A Hero All His Life. She last appeared in public at the memorial service for Yankees outfielder Bobby Murcer in Oklahoma City on Aug. 5, 2008. She attended a private dinner with guests but could not attend the service the following day. Mrs. Mantle was preceded in death by her husband, Mickey Mantle and her two sons, Billy Mantle and Mickey Mantle, Jr. She is survived by her two sons, David Mantle and Danny Mantle and his wife, Kay; four grandchildren, Mallory, Marilyn, Will Chloe Mantle; sister and brother-in-law, Pat and John LaFalier; nephew, John Giles and niece, Janna Mattison. Visitation will be held from 7:00 - 9:00pm, Friday, August 14, 2009, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, August 15, 2009, at the Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel, Mr. Dave Jobe officiating. Mrs. Mantle will be entombed next to her husband and children at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Bill Durham, Danny Mantle, David Mantle, Will Mantle, Billy Martin, Jr., Don Rutherford and John Giles LaFalier. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4144 North Central Expressway, Ste 750, Dallas, TX 75204-3208, www.alz.org.
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Memories and Condolences
for Merlyn Mantle
Danny and David,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God comfort you and bring you peace.I will always remember your mothers laugh and incredible love for you all. She was a wonderful woman.
Laura Gripp/Shinefield
August 28, 2009
May you find peace, abundance, and the love of those who passed before you.
Sandra Lewis
August 17, 2009
I hope your at peace. Say hello to the mick for me. Rest in peace
Robert Caffese
August 17, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
August 16, 2009
David and Danny,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jeanie Daniel-Martin
August 15, 2009
Dear David and Danny,
I am sorry I never got the chance to meet your mother, but I feel that I knew her from hearing about her. David, when you and I talked last week, I had no idea that we would be at this place so soon. My family joins me in offering our condolences, and I pray that you will all find peace and comfort.
Norita Gunter
August 15, 2009
I am very saddened by the passing of Mrs. Mantle. My condolences to all the family. I live in IL and have been a Yankee and Mick fan all my life. Over the years I have put together quite a collection of Mantle items. I adored him and happened to be in NYC on the day he passed.
Now that I am retired I took a trip to Dallas specifically to visit with Mickey at the cemetery. Then I was fortunate enough to meet Merlyn, a very gracious and charming woman. We shared lots of memories and showed me the book A Hero All His life which I now I have as well.
She made a huge impact on me and will always have a very special place in my heart. Because of respect for her privacy, I didn't contact her but a few cards. I wish now I could have taken more time to keep in touch more frequently. Maybe she would have enjoyed a friend too.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all now and always. Bless her for she is now at peace - and probably with Mickey and the boys!
Jo Morrison
Bloomington, IL
Jo Morrison
August 14, 2009
Danny and David,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. She was quite a lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wayne Grove
August 13, 2009
Danny, Kay, Will and Chloe:
Roland and I are saddened to hear of your loss. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family at this difficult time. I will be adding your family to our LCA prayer concerns in the morning.
Roland and Julie Ball
August 13, 2009
I'm very sorry to hear the loss of your mom, Danny and David (and the grandkids). She was a special person. You were lucky to be able to call her 'Mom', and for the rest of us to call her our friend all of these years. Our thoughts are with you.
The Jesse Brin Family
Jesse Brin
August 13, 2009
Danny, David, and Kay: Andrea and I were very saddened to hear about Merlyn's passing. She was a wonderful person, and treated us like family last time we were at the family house. God bless her.
Paul and Andrea McDaniel
Paul McDaniel
August 13, 2009
As a childhood friend to her youngest son Danny I will always remember Merlyn Mantle as a strong but delicate lady. On many occasions she would take us to the Prince of Hamburgers drive in on Lemmon Ave in Dallas. I always had a hankering to go back there but never did... maybe I was afraid it wouldnt be the same not being served in Merlyn's Cadillac. All the best to Danny and David and their families.
Dan Zimmerman
August 13, 2009
I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Merlyn. I have fond memories of the Mantle Clan frequenting a restaurant where I worked. I can say your family was one of our favorite "Regulars." Please accept my sympathies for your loss.
Pamela
August 13, 2009
i met mrs.mantle.when her husband was a patient at baylor.getting a liver transplant.she was a very nice lady.always speaking to every one on our floor.she would talk to the other patients.my memories of the mantle family is that they were so nice.they were just regular people.my prayer to the mantle family.and friends.
alma hall
August 13, 2009
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