WHITMIRE, Merle 1925-2013

WHITMIRE, RHINESMITH, BESSMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 6/2/2013 at 09:19:28

Merle Rhea Whitmire, 87, of Conrad, formerly of Wellsburg, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at the Oakview Nursing Home in Conrad after a brief illness while under the care of Iowa Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013, 10:00 am at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in rural Wellsburg with Pastor Bruce Zimmerman officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2013 from 4 to 7:00 pm at Doyen-Abels Funeral Home in Wellsburg. Interment will follow funeral services at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Oak Estates or the Veterans Memorial in Wellsburg, Iowa in care of Robert Whitmire.

Merle was born November 25, 1925, in rural Grundy County, the third child of Charles and Faeh (Rhinesmith) Whitmire. He graduated from Grundy Center High School. Merle served in the Army during WWII in the 65th Division 261st Infantry in the European Theatre from 1944 to 1946. He married the love of his life, DeLilah (Bessman) Whitmire on his 21st birthday.

Merle worked for local farmers before he and his wife bought the Bessman family farm near Wellsburg. He was a very proud farmer. After retiring he and his wife moved to Oak Estates in Conrad. He greatly enjoyed visits from his children, grand and great-grandchildren and Sam, the dog. He enjoyed traveling including many fishing trips with family and friends, playing cards and his Polka music.

He was a member of the American Legion, AMVETS, and Jolly Boys.

He is survived by his children: Bonnie (Tom) Horobik, Robert (Darla) Whitmire, Beverly (Mark) Hockert, Rebecca (Doug) Kinsinger, and Rodney (JoAnn) Whitmire, 15 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one on the way, 6 step-great-grandchildren and his brother Gerald (Shirlene Mulder) plus 4 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law.

Preceded in death by: his wife, parents, a sister, wife's parents, a daughter-in-law, 4 sisters-in-law and 5 brothers-in-law.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)