James Merkel and Heather Shearman

A Sept. 4 wedding is being planned by Heather Shearman and James Merkel, both of Johnstown.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Jeffrey and Bonnie Shearman of Johnstown. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Jim and Jacque Merkel of Mars.

The bride-elect is a 2001 graduate of Richland High School and a 2005 graduate of Indiana (Pa.) University. She received her doctor of physical therapy degree in 2007 from Chatham University. She works as a pediatric physical therapist for Camco Physical and Occupational Therapy in Johnstown.

Her fiancé graduated in 2003 from Mars High School and in 2009 from La Roche College. He works as a mental health worker in the social skills department for adolescents at Milestones Community Health Care in Indiana.