A memorial service for Marvin W. Merritt, age 88, a resident of Sierra Vista, Arizona, was held at the Riceville United Methodist Church in Riceville, Iowa on Saturday, May 21, 2005. The Reverend Michael Carey officiated. Marvin passed away Monday, May 16, 2005.

Marvin was born July 5, 1916 in Allerton, Iowa to William and Inamay (Kimple) Merritt. He graduated from Strawberry Point High School in 1934. He attended San Bernardino Junior College in California in 1937 and 1938. Marvin served in the U.S. Army before and during WW II as an officer in General Patton's 818 Tank Destroyer Battalion.

On March 2, 1942 he married Earlene Presson. In 1948 he graduated from Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. From 1948 to 1951 he worked for Lion Oil Company. In 1951 he moved to a farm in Mitchell County, Iowa. He served as Director of Schools for Douglas Township.

In 1957 he moved to the home farm in Howard County and served on the County School Board from 1960 to 1969. He served on the Howard County Draft Board during the Vietnam Conflict. He worked in the Riceville Post Office from 1962 until his retirement in 1977. He taught high school Sunday school class in the Riceville United Methodist Church for many years and served on many commissions. After his retirement they lived in Arizona during the winter and summered in Iowa.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Earlene, his second wife Arene Makidon-Holt, a sister Eleanor Dean and his stepbrother James McGahey and his step-daughter Susan Bibeau.

His survivors include his children, William (Rita Jo) Merritt of Sierra Vista, Arizona, James (Cherie) Merritt of Osage, Iowa and Cathy Simon of Riceville, Iowa. Stepchildren Charles (Debi) Makidon of St. Paul, Minn.; Diane (David) Peters of International Falls, Minn., and Carol (Terry) Ohlund of Grand Rapids, Minn. Brothers Milo (Marge) Merritt of Mesa, Arizona, and Robert (Bernice ) Merritt of Burleson, Texas and many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Marvin Merritt Memorial Fund, 219 N. 13th St., Osage, Iowa 50461 Lindstrom Funeral Home, Riceville, was in charge of arrangements.