Merle Lindsey

Merle W. Lindsey, 88, of Eldora, died on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora while under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at the Eldora United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Boatman officiating. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Memory Gardens in Eldora. Visitation is from 5 pm to 8 pm on Monday at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora.

Merle was born December 27, 1921 to Clarence H. and Eva M. (Steffens) Lindsey in Rowan, Iowa.  After graduating from Rowan High School he began farming outside Rowan in 1940. He married Miriam E. Broer at her family home in New Providence, Iowa, May 28, 1944. On Thanksgiving Day in 1948 they moved to Eldora with their sons, Neil and Alan, where he farmed until 1996. After Miriam’s death in 1996 he married Ruth Schnakenberg in August 1997. Ruth passed away in 2005.

Merle was an active member of his community having served as President of the Owasa School Board and a Township Trustee for years. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees at the Eldora United Methodist Church. Merle was also a lifelong member of the Masons.   He enjoyed traveling and especially liked the winters he spent in Apache Junction, Arizona.

He is survived by his son Neil of Eldora; son Alan (Charlotte) of Lantana, Texas; grandchildren, Jami Larson, Gabe (Stacy) Lindsey, Melia Haynes, Marin Haynes, and Kinsey (Kirk) Samuels; and by great-grandchildren, Maverick and Lindsey Larson, Paige, Trinady, Xander, and Xadge Lindsey, Mya Haynes-Galvan, and Preston Samuels. Preceding him in death were his brother, Garth; and sister, Dorothy Gram. Memorials may be directed to Care Initiatives Hospice.