Davis, Merlin C. (1931-2012)

DAVIS CLEVER, SAMPERS, WELCH, GRIGSBY, SAHR, BESAW, MALEY, WERNER, LENHART, SLIEFERT, BRUMMER, OLSON, JORGENSEN, ANDREWS

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 7/22/2012 at 15:31:18

Merlin C. Davis
January 26, 1931 - July 11, 2012

Storm Lake, Iowa

Merlin Davis, age 81, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Merlin Clarence Davis was born on January 26, 1931, in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of G. Wayne and Lovicy Clever Davis. In 1955, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake where he remained a devoted member. Merlin attended elementary school in Newell, Iowa, and graduated from Truesdale High School. Following his graduation, he attended Buena Vista College.

On January 6, 1951, Merlin enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country proudly during the Korean Conflict in the Korean Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged on November 16, 1954.

On June 16, 1956, Merlin married Phyllis Jean Sampers at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. This union was blessed with eight children: Amy, Douglas, Bradley, Letha, Diane, Jane, William, and Karl.

Merlin was a member of the Alta VFW Post 6172. He worked as an over the road trucker who loved his country. He found much enjoyment in the outdoors from traveling (49 states), camping (experiencing national parks and historical sites), going on family vacations, and fishing with his kids and grandkids. He loved history and family genealogy, western novels, music (playing accordion and piano), square dancing, and card playing. A friend to many a stranger, Merlin, additionally, enjoyed people. He loved his family and cherished the time he spent with them. He expressed his humor as a gentle “teaser” to his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish Merlin’s memory include his wife of fifty-six years, Phyllis, of Storm Lake; his children: Amy Welch, of Gretna, Nebraska, Douglas (Lynette) Davis, of Overland Park, Kansas, Bradley (Denice) Davis, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Letha (Lance) Grigsby, of Omaha, Nebraska, Diane (Mark) Sahr, of Minnetrista, Minnesota, Jane (Herb) Besaw, of Storm Lake; William (Kim) Davis, of Bremerton, Washington, and Karl (Kelly) Davis, of Omaha, Nebraska; his grandchildren: Laurie (Adam) Maley; Joseph and Brian Welch; Courtney, Scott, Marika, Kasey, Caden, Joseph, Andrew, Alexa, and Levi Davis; Elizabeth, Ian, and Jennifer Grigsby; Jayson Sahr; Jenna (Bradley) Werner; Callie and Kyle Besaw; and Stefan Lewis; three sisters: Phyllis (Everett) Lenhart, of Hartley, Iowa, Vivian Sliefert, of Storm Lake, and Margaret (Leonard) Brummer, of Storm Lake; his sister-in-law, Ruth Davis, of Storm Lake; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Robert (Pam) Sampers, of Alta, Iowa, Su Sampers, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Joyce (Garry) Olson, of Storm Lake, Beverly Jorgensen, and her special friend, John Rogers, of Lake Forest, California, and Mark (Camille) Sampers, of Burnsville, Minnesota; as well as extended family and many friends.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, G. Wayne and Lovicy Davis; his brother, Eldon Davis; his brother-in-law, Harold Sliefert; his father- and mother-in-law, Joseph and Christina Sampers; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Marjorie (Richard) Andrews, Donald (Joan) Sampers, David Sampers, and Francis Sampers.

Memorial Service: 1:30 p.m., July 14, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Visitation: 5:00-8:00 p.m., Rosary at 5:00 p.m., July 13, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Vigil Service: 7:00 p.m., July 13, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Copyright © 2012, Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home
 

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