Pierstown – Alvin M. Walker, Jr. “Merk," 90, of Huff Road in Pierstown, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026, when his hardworking heart finally wore out.
Merk was the son of the late Alvin M. and Mary
Walker. He is survived by Carol, his wife
and best friend of 63 years; daughter Amy and her
husband Christopher; son Steven and his partner
Sylvia; and son John and his husband Keith.
Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Merk did not
grow up on a farm, but farming was in his blood from the start. As a boy, he worked on local farms, where he
earned the nickname “Merk” from farmer Merkery — a name that stayed with him
for life. He went on to attend the
National Agricultural College (NAC), now Delaware Valley University in
Doylestown, PA, and graduated with a BS in dairy science.
After graduating from college, he spent a summer
working on a hay crew in the Sand Hills of Nebraska before returning home and
volunteering for the draft. Merk was
honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of “Spec 4.” He did not
serve overseas, which allowed him to meet Carol, the woman he would always
lovingly call “Sonnies.” She would
always lovingly refer to him as “Dearie.” Their first date was on December 6,
1958, while she lived next door to his parents
in Trenton. Despite disliking his jacket
and his decision to light a second cigarette, she agreed to another date—and from
there, sixty-three years of marriage unfolded.
After the Army, Merk began his career as a dairy
farmer. The path took him from hired man
to renter to co-owner when Carol and Merk purchased their beloved farm on Huff
Road in Pierstown on December 1, 1966. Merk
was no stranger to hard work, determination, and perseverance—qualities that
sometimes looked more like stubbornness but fueled his success. He started with 33 cows in Pierstown, and
through several expansions, grew the herd to 52 before retiring from milking in
1995, when Steve (always “Junkman” to Merk) moved the cows to a larger farm.
Merk was actively involved in his community. He served on the Board of Trustees of the
Cooperstown Presbyterian Church; acted as Treasurer of the Otsego County Farm
Bureau; was a member of the Farmers Home Administration (FHA) Committee; and
spent ten years on the Town of Otsego Planning Board. Merk was known for his work ethic,
common-sense approach to problem-solving, and practical insight—qualities he
instilled in his children.
Even after retiring from milking, he never stopped
farming. He raised heifers for others
and baled hay for almost three more decades. His high-quality, dust-free hay earned him a
loyal following. For nearly sixty years
on his Pierstown farm, Merk employed countless local teenagers, guiding them
with patience and humor. He took pride
in teaching them the value of hard work, leaving many with lessons that shaped
their lives long after they left the hay wagons and the hay mow.
Merk finally retired from baling in 2022, much to the
disappointment of his long-time customers.
Throughout his farming career, Merk had a deep affection for his Allis-Chalmers
tractors. In semi-retirement, he began
collecting D‑15s, convinced he always needed “another tractor or two.”
Simply stated, Merk was a steadfast man who took pride
in his land, his farm, and his family. Carol,
Amy, Steven, and John extend their heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary staff
at Helios Care, whose compassion and support made Merk’s final months/weeks
comfortable and peaceful. The family is
forever grateful that, even though he did not get his wish to die in the
hayfield, he was able to remain at home on the farm he loved.
There will be calling hours and a brief religious service
at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street,
Cooperstown, New York, on January 24, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The religious service will start at 2:00 p.m.,
followed by an opportunity to share stories about Merk and to offer condolences
to the family. Immediately following the
visitation there will be a reception until 6:30 p.m. at Landmark Inn, 64
Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
In accordance with Merk’s wishes, burial will be
private at the convenience of his family at the cemetery bordering his beloved
farm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Helios
Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1, Oneonta, NY 13820 (https://helioscare.org/donate).
