Memorial service planned for former Nye County assessor

A memorial service for former Nye County Assessor Bernie Merlino is planned for 11 a.m., Sunday in the Tonopah Convention Center.

Merlino, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Tonopah, on Aug. 10, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

He was a Tonopah Test Range employee until 1975 when he was elected as Nye County assessor. He served until 1998 when he retired. His daughter-in-law is Sandra “Sam” Merlino, the current Nye County clerk.

Bernie Merlino was born on March 26, 1934 in Wallace, Idaho, the last child born to Margaret and Nick Merlino. He moved to Tonopah with his parents and five siblings at the age of six months.

He graduated from Tonopah High School in 1952 where he excelled in basketball.

He worked for the Tonopah Fire Department and the Nevada Highway Department from 1952 to 1960. After that, he was employed at the Tonopah Test Range.

On April 6, 1956, he married Marylu Atkin, and they had two children.

He was a life member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Tonopah Elks #1062 and an enthusiastic booster of Tonopah High School sports, particularly basketball and any other sports his children or grandchildren played.

Merlino was active in several organizations within his community of Tonopah, Nye County and the state of Nevada.

He is survived by a brother, Jim Merlino of Tonopah; son, Jim Merlino (Sandra), daughter, Toni North (Mike) all of Tonopah; grandchildren, Erin Berg (Blaise) of Smoky Valley; Dominic Merlino (Eileen) of Reno; Madison North, and Tessa North of Tonopah; great-granddaughters, Avery Berg, Juliana Berg and Teagan Merlino; loving in-laws, several nieces and nephews, a host of longtime friends, and Bear the dog.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marylu Atkin Merlino; mother, Margaret Merlino; father, Nick Merlino; stepmother Laura Dell Merlino; sisters, Ann Goman, Delores Boyles, Ellen and Camille Merlino; brothers, Mickey Merlino, Nick Merlino, Raymond Merlino and John Merlino.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tonopah Elks Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 233, Tonopah, NV 89049.