Sorting Merged Cells

I'm trying to create a code that will sort a page with merged cells. I've attached an example.

In my example I have a list of names with dates. When you press the sort button the rows will sort by Column A. I add a lot of names and as my list grows I need to keep it organized so the sort function is vital.

On Sheet 1 you can see how the code should work. But when the list of dates gets too long I want to go to the row below and continue the dates. In these cases I want the name to merge. On Sheet two you can see how I'd like it to look with the name "Johnson, Paul". But since I have a merged cell, the sort function won't work.

Anybody have any ideas on how to pull this off? I was thinking that it could work if Excel could somehow unmerge the merged cells, add the same name to both cells, then do the sort, then merge any cells that match in Column A. But I don't know if this id doable.

Any help is appreciated.