Jeff Mershon Memorial Fund

As you know, this fund started out to help with Jeff's medical expenses.  Sadly, God had other plans in mind for Jeff and took him way on April 7, 2015. 
Now, the family is left to face the reality of a different life and future without a breadwinner, husband or dad.  The original fund was for $10,000 and we met that yesterday.  Most of that has gone toward medical expenses and things Jeff needed to be comfortable while he fought with all his might.  We have increased the goal to $15,000 so we can help Sheryl , Ally, and Alex honor their dad with a nice memorial service and to help with additional expenses and emergency needs they have right now. 

Here is a link to his obituary:  http://www.berghfuneralservice.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3036416&fh_id=12976

Please continue to share this fund with others that knew Jeff or want to help make this time a little easier on his family.

Thank you,
Polly Welch

My original post:
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My name is Polly Welch. My husband, Bryan, and I have been friends of Jeff and Sheryl Mershon since we were all in school together 3 decades ago.  When I called to let Jeff know that my husband had unexpectedly passed away on January 16th, I received a call from his mother telling me what Jeff was up against.  A few years back, Jeff was diagnosed and successfully treated for melanoma.  He recovered and was once again healthy, living life with his wife and kids, working hard, and making hay (quite literally).

Jeff has always been a guy that helped people out.  His home was a place where his friends could retreat from the day to day, and his positive attitude and upbeat personality attracted people to him.  We all rejoiced when we learned he was safe from hells of Cancer.  And then the big C struck back. Jeff learned he had stage 4 metastatic melanoma in his brain and lungs. 

Jeff is a fighter.  He wants to watch his son receive his college diploma, walk his daughter down the aisle, and rock his grandchildren on the front porch that he carved and built with his own hands.  If he can’t have that, he wants as much time as he can get.  We all want that for him.

Jeff, Sheryl and the kids live 30 miles outside of Tonasket, WA.  He is in the hospital in Wenatchee after undergoing brain surgery.  He is currently undergoing chemo and radiation.  He has no use of his left side and works three hours each day with the Physical and Occupational therapist to get him to a point that he can have a good quality of life.  He is receiving drugs that are not covered by his insurance.  His wife, mother, sister and other family members are taking turns being with him, but they all have work and have a long way to travel to be with him.  And let's face it, he's not going to find the level of care and physical therapy he needs in the middle of the mountains outside of Tonasket.

Jeff is a positive man with a strong faith.  He just wants more time.  He is not ready to go.  Only 4 weeks ago, my husband was alive and considered Jeff one of his closest lifelong friends.  If Bryan were with us, he would want to help Jeff in any way possible. 

My wish is to raise funds to help pay at least the $10,000 to cover drugs that are not totally paid by insurance and that may help extend his life.  At the very least, money to help his family get by while Sheryl misses work and makes the long drive back and forth.  Please consider a small donation, and please share his story so that others who know Jeff, or can relate to this family’s experience, can help if they are able.

Thank you.