Merle Celeste Barkdull was born in Montpelier September 30, 1902 the daughter of Alma Riley and Hattie Edith Hoff Barkdull. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1922 and served in the US navey.. She married Charles Alma Combs October 1, 1928 in Salt Lake City. She died January 13, 1977 in Napa, California and was buried in the Golden State National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.