Jeff “Mersh” Mershon, 48, lost his courageous battle to Metastatic Melanoma Cancer on April 7th, 2015, at home with his family at his side.

He was diagnosed on January 14 and after 38 days in the hospital, radiation, and cancer (chemo drugs) he went home and continued to “fight the fight,” believing he could beat it. He would say “tiny bites,” but the bites got too big to chew! He had a strong faith in God and knew when Jesus came calling he would be dancing in Heaven, free of pain, surrounded by his loved ones who had gone on before him. He once had a bumper sticker on his truck “Real Men Love Jesus!”

He was born January 15th, 1967 to his parents, Steve Mershon and Janet Kershner in Sedro-Woolley. He lived and attended school in Mount Vernon, moving to Concrete and later to Tonasket on a ranch in the Aeneas Valley. At the age of 14, until his early 30’s, he never missed a season fishing salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska or fishing King Crab in the Bering Sea. He also worked in the logging industry, fish hatchery, landscaping, fencing, haying and raising Black Angus to name a few.

He married Sheryl Lindahl, April 25, 1998. Together they had a son Alex (17) and a daughter Ally (16). Jeff followed his dreams, his love of the outdoors involved skiing, hiking, camping, gardening, fishing and bow and rifle hunting… often with his friend Rusty. He loved music and the rhythm usually found him singing or dancing, with or without a partner! He was a member of both the Tonasket Eagles and American Legion s.a.1. Jeff was known for his infectious smile. He was loved by many and his friends were countless!

Jeff shaped his character early in his youth in Skagit Valley. The friends he made, have remained his loyal friends for life. A good friend, Quinn Thompson, sent his message “Mersh taught me how to seize the day and live life to the fullest! He always looked after me, he was my brother. Everyone loved Mersh, he was a leader and oh the adventures he took us on!” He often paid it forward and helped young and old in any way he could. He enjoyed teaching his skills to others, especially his kids. Love sitting around a bonfire, telling stories, lighting up the coals and barbecuing just about anything to perfection!

He was preceded in death by his father Steve Mershon in 2011, and his grandparents he loved dearly.

He is survived by his wife Sheryl and their 2 children, his mother Jan and step-father John Olson, sister Jenny (Mike) Nelson, nephew Thomas and niece Jillian, step-mother Judy Mershon, mother-in-law Ann Cramer, brother-in-law Mark Lindahl, and a huge loving family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Our lives will never be the same without him but his spirit will be in the trees, wind and clouds,

surrounding us forever. Heaven received a beautiful gift!

A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at the Tonasket Eagles, Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. and also in Skagit County, to be decided at a later date.

Donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to benefit his wife and children at www.gofundme.com/JeffMershonFund. We can’t thank those enough who have already donated. We were able to use a portion of the funds to help Jeff with medical needs. When we read him the comments and donations from friends and family, he couldn’t believe the outpouring of love, it brought tears to his eyes and warmth to his heart.

Bergh Funeral Service and Crematory in care of Arrangements.