John Rockford Merley

IN MEMORY OF
JOHN R. MERLEY

BORN
October 24, 1917
Sheldon, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
May 8, 2006
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 11, 2006
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Marvin Lindley ~ officiating
VISITATION
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
after 2:00pm with the family present 6:30 - 7:30pm
from Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon
MUSIC
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“In The Garden”
Sung by:
Organist: Barb Burns

CASKET BEARERS
Todd Merley David Merley
Chad Merley Trent Merley
Neil Merley John 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.

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

JOHN R. MERLEY

John Rockford Merley, the son of Henry and Mae (McGranahan) Merley, was born October 24, 1917 in Sheldon, Iowa. He received his education in country schools in the Sheldon area. On December 23, 1938, he was united in marriage to Mildred De Graaf at Newkirk, Iowa. After their marriage the couple farmed in the Hartley and Archer area for several years. The couple moved into Sheldon in February of 1962, where John was employed with Big 4 Land O Lakes in Sheldon for 20 years. After his retirement he worked part-time for Andringa roofing in Sheldon. John passed on Monday, May 8, 2006, at the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon, Iowa, reaching the age of 88 years, 6 months and 14 days.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Sheldon. He enjoyed fishing, (especially with his grandsons) and gardening, he was known for his onions and tomatoes.
John leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 67 years, Mildred “Millie” Merley of Sheldon, Iowa; two sons, Paul and his wife, Sharon Merley and Don and his wife, Barb Merley all of Sheldon, Iowa; a daughter, Vicki Merley of Sheldon, Iowa; eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law, Gertrude Merley and Bonnie Merley both of Sheldon, Iowa; Oliva De Graaf of Orange City, Iowa; also many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Billy Dean Merley, his parents, six sisters and four brothers.