Gertrude Johanna Merley

IN MEMORY OF
GERTRUDE J. MERLEY

BORN
October 14, 1916
Boyden, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
July 2, 2008
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 5, 2008
United Methodist Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Marvin Lindley ~ Officiating
VISITATION
Saturday, July 5, 2008
12:00 noon until the time of service
at the
United Methodist Church in Sheldon.

MUSIC
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Sung by: Gered De Hoogh
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“In The Garden”
“On Eagle’s Wings”
Organist: Barb Burns

CASKET BEARERS
Chad Houtsma Don Merley
Gerald Thorman Dennis Kruger
Jeff Rider Todd Merley

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the
United Methodist Church in Sheldon.

Arrangements under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home Sheldon, Iowa


GERTRUDE J. MERLEY

Gertrude Johanna Merley, the daughter of John and Gertie (Dekker) Vos, was born October 14, 1916 in Boyden, Iowa. She lived her youth in Boyden and received her education there. She was married to Robert Merley in 1934. They made their home in Sheldon. Gertrude had worked as a volunteer at the Village Market for a number of years and had been employed at the Paradox Florist in Sanborn. On December 31, 1975, she was united in marriage to Joe Merley in Sheldon, Iowa. Her husband, Joe preceded her in death on March 2, 1987. Gertrude remained in her home until her death; she passed away on July 2, 2008 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sheldon, reaching the age 91 years, 8 months and 18 days.
Gertrude was a 50+ year member of the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, the Royal Neighbors of America, the Fidelia Rebekah Lodge; she was a member of the V.F.W Auxiliary and the Hannah Circle of her church.
Gertrude is survived by her two sons and their wives, Rod and Renae Merley and Bob Jr. and Julia Merley all of Sheldon, Iowa; four grandchildren, Mike Merley; Perri Jo and her husband, Chuck Houtsma; Randy and his wife, Diann Merley all of Sheldon and Jeff Rider of Iowa City; nine great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, Irene and her husband, Vernon Ingalls and Betty Wassenaar all of Sheldon; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents, a daughter, Marlene in infancy; a brother, Arthur Vos; and three sisters, Lena Jacobs, Eunice Van Oort and Mary Vellinga.