Merle Marie Heck Bledsoe

Merle Marie Heck Bledsoe, 85, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Born on January 28, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa, she was the daughter of Nick Heck and Olive Yokely Heck and had lived in this area most of her life.

Merle was predeceased in death by her parents, Nick and Olive Yokley Heck; former husband, Daniel Bledsoe; sister, Bernice “Bea” Collins; six brothers, Rex (Evelyn), Lyle (Vivian), Bill (Theda), Bob, Howard and Nick, Jr. “Doc”.

Left to cherish her memory are her son; Wayne Bledsoe; granddaughters, Jordan and Jada Bledsoe; sisters-in-law, Clyde Heck and Donna Heck and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 14, 2026, in the Garden of Everlasting Life at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 2630 Highway 75, Blountville, Tennessee.

The family extends special thanks to Ballad Pulmonary Associates, State of Franklin ICU & RT Staff; Leslie of Palliative Care and Hospice Caregivers, Hope and Sara Beth.

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Merle Marie Heck Bledsoe.