Larry N. Merkle, M.D., 78, of Nazareth, died April 6, 2018, at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was the husband of Brenda (Reinert) Merkle for 38 years.

Raised in Slatington, he was a son of the late Claude and Lillian (Rauch) Merkle.

He was a University of Pennsylvania graduate. He earned a medical degree from the Heidelberg University, Germany.

He was a major in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, 1968-70, and received many awards including the National Defense Service Medal and a Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

He practiced medicine in Allentown from 1974 to 2011 and was chief of endocrinology/ metabolism at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, for much of that time.

He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Denise and her husband Stephen Turoscy, Claudia, Larry, Jonathan and Julie; a grandson, Steve Turoscy; and a great-grandson, Greyson.

Contributions may be made to the church, 835 Third St., Whitehall, 18052, or stjohn-whitehall.org; and/or to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, or visit curealzfund.org.