HALL, Merle R. (1924-2005)

HALL, DIETZ, KOFOOT, WRIGHT, REESE, HAYS, PETERSEN, JUHL, YANECEK

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 21:35:56

Merle R. Hall, 1924-2005

November 23, 2005

Merle R. Hall, 81, of rural Forest City, died on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at his home southeast of Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 19, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with the Rev. Owen Gaasedelen officiating. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Torkelson who accompanied, vocalist, Warren Torkelson and congregational hymns. Ushers were Dave Luscomb, Glen Juhl and Jerry Hall. Honorary bearers were Jodi Alt, Jacki Keenan, Angella Hall, Kathryn Wright, Jessica Buckmier, Allison Reese, Camryn Hays and Samantha Petersen.

Casket bearers were Don Reese, Dan Petersen, Criswell Hays, Jeff Hall, Ethan Hays, Christopher Wright and David Reeese. Burial was in the Ellington Prairie Cemetery, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Merle Robert Hall, the son of George Mandus and Lena Caroline (Dietz) Hall, was born on February 29, 1924, on a farm north of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church near Miller. He attended Ellington Township #8 Country School and graduated from the Garner High School in 1941.

Merle served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 on the U.S.S. J. Franklin Bell. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and farmed north of Garner.

On February 12, 1949, he married Marjorie Pauline Kofoot at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. In 1952, they moved to a farm northeast of Miller where they continued to farm.

Merle enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting, sports events that his children and grandchildren participated in, square dancing in Rainbow Swingers and playing softball in the church league.

He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church where he had served as president of the congregation, church council member, Sunday School Teacher and choir member. He was a charter member of the Garner VFW and also was a member of the Garner American Legion and the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. He served on the Miller Telephone Board, Hancock County Fair Board, was NFO County Chairman and Third District President, Winnebago Historical Society and Mansion Board and was a 4-H Leader.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie of Forest City; children, Michael (Bonnie) Hall of Omaha, Nebraska, Ted (Susan) Hall of Forest City, Georgeann Hall of Omaha, Carolyn Wright of Garland, Texas, Susan (Donald) Reese of Forest City, Joyce (Criswell) Hays of Smithville, Missouri and Julie (Dan) Petersen of Castle Rock, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a great-step-granddaughter.

Survivors also include three brothers, Harold (Gladys) Hall of Bakersfield, California, Galen (Mary) Hall of Mankato, Minnesota and Leonard (Donna) Hall of Winthrop, Maine; and two sisters, Doris (Marvin) Juhl of Forest City and Myrtle (Merle) Yanecek of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Timothy Hall.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005