TOWNSEND, Merlyn L. 1920-2002

TOWNSEND, NOAH, UKER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/25/2009 at 12:27:51

BELMOND, IOWA - Merlyn L. Townsend, 82, of Belmond passed away Sunday, July 21, 2002, at his home in Belmond after suffering from heart ailments. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, July 24, 2002 at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Belmond with Rev. Lynne Spencer-Smith officiating.

Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery, rural Rudd at 2:30 p.m. today, July 24. Visitation was held Tuesday, July 23 at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond and will continue one hour prior to services at the church today.

Merlyn, the son of Harold and Gladys (Noah) Townsend, was born March 29, 1920, in Charles City. He grew up and attended school in the Floyd County area. Prior to entering the Army, he was employed as a welder with Oliver Tractor Company in Charles City and later Walsh Manufacturing, also of Charles City. He was inducted into the United States Army at Camp Dodge on Jan. 16, 1943. He served with the 563rd Engineers Boat Maintenance Battalion as a diesel mechanic and also a rifle marksman, Tech 4. He was discharged from the Army on Dec. 29, 1945. Following his discharged, Merlyn lived in California for a time before returning to Charles City to farm with his father.

Merlyn was united in marriage with Viola Blunt Uker on Sept. 17, 1949, in Yankton, S.D. To this union one daughter, Carol, was born. Following their marriage, the couple lived and farmed in the Floyd Count region. Merlyn and Viola moved to Belmond in the spring of 1961. He raised capons and was known as the largest capon grower in the state of Iowa. He retired from the poultry business in March of 1982. He enjoyed playing cards with Vi and friends. He loved to fish and hunt and would often take the camper and boat to Lake Okoboji or Lake Cornelia. He was a great kidder and really enjoyed his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational.

Living family members include his wife of 52 years, Vi of Belmond; two daughters and their families, Carol Steenblock and her husband, Bob of Belmond and their children, Ryan Steenblock and his wife, Arianne of Panora and Rusty Steenblock and friend, Crystle Asmus of Alexander and Janet Smith of Omaha, Neb. and her children, Debbie Zarybnicky and her husband, Dale of Austin, Texas, Jerry Smith and his wife, Susan of Weeping Waters, Neb., Cheryl Wickwire and her husband, Jim of Charles City and Kevin Uker and his wife, Linda of Tucson, Ariz.; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Noah Townsend of Charles City and Barton Townsend of Charles City; sister-in-law Doris Townsend of Rawlins, Wyo., and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Gary Townsend and Don Uker; sister, Naomi Brooks; and a brother, Marvin Townsend.