Merla Fay Doyel Gilbert, 96, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord on February 19, 2026.

Merla was born on December 10, 1929, in Dixon, Missouri, to Michael and Evelyn Doyel.  She graduated from Dixon High School.  Merla married Joseph Raymond Gilbert on February 23, 1950, and celebrated 48 years of marriage before Joe's passing in 1998.

Merla worked as a secretary and purchasing agent for Bartlett Collins Glass Company in Sapulpa, which later became Indiana Glass.  She was highly respected in her long years of service with them.

Merla was a lifelong member of the Christian Church and faithfully attended and served several churches throughout her life.  She was a member of the Builders Sunday School class and served as a Sunday School teacher, class secretary, and several other ministries, one of which was Expressions of Emmanuel deaf ministry as forwarding agent.  She also served her community as a tutor with the Creek County Literacy program, teaching adults to read.

Merla enjoyed reading Christian novels and watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, but her favorite hobby by far was quilting which she learned from her mother.  It is safe to say the two of them pieced and hand-quilted well over 100 quilts for family and friends, as well as their own enjoyment while her mother was alive.  Merla created many more quilts on her own, as well as repairing and finishing those started by others.  Several of her quilts won ribbons at the Creek County FCE Quilt Show, including Best of Show.

Merla enjoyed traveling to many air shows around the country with her husband Joe, trips to Branson and Eureka Springs with family, and many other places with her sister, Pat Williams, and friend, Lea Maley. Merla even sat at the Captain's table on her 82nd birthday during a cruise through the Panama Canal for LeAnn and Bryan's wedding.  Merla's passion was always her family.  She was often heard saying "I have the best family in the world!"  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Merla was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Evelyn Doyel, her husband, Joe Gilbert, and her sister and brother-in-law, Pat and James Williams.  She is survived by her son, Joseph Michael Gilbert (Colleen Gilbert), daughter Kathryn LeAnn Gilbert (Bryan Norton), grandchildren Joseph Benjamin Gilbert (Monika Ford) and Angela Renae McElroy (Daniel McElroy), and great-grandchildren James McElroy, Benjamin McElroy, and Maddox Ford, and many other cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, February 23, from 5:30-7:00 pm at Traditions Funeral & Cremation, with services following on Tuesday, February 24, at 10:00 am, also at Traditions Funeral & Cremation, 35 South Main, Kellyville, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Creek County Literacy.

Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral & Cremation Services, 35 S Main, Kellyville, OK 74039, 918-247-7373