Merle Cook (1962)

COOK, CONRAD, JORDAN, CLARK, ROTSCHAFER, ALLEN, PINNELL, MCCURDY

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 8/22/2008 at 10:11:55

Earlham Echo – November 1, 1962

Services Held for Merle Cook

Funeral services for Merle Cook of Adel were held Saturday afternoon, October 27, at the Adel Christian church with the Rev. Ray Barnett officiating. The Earlham American Legion Post conducted the military honors at the Earlham cemetery.

Earlham Echo – November 8, 1962

Obituary

Merle Cook, son of Arthur and Alma Cook, was born on May 17, 1896, at Stuart, Iowa, and passed away on October 24, 1962 at the Iowa Methodist hospital, Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 66 years, 5 months, 7 days.

Merle grew up in the Bear Creek community in Dallas county. He was a veteran of World War I, serving overseas 12 months with Company “C”, 5th Infantry, 7th Division.

He was united in marriage to Evelyn Conrad on September 14, 1920, in Des Moines, Iowa. In September of 1928 Merle and Evelyn Cook moved to Adel from Earlham and have been residents of Adel since that date. Not having children of their own, they shared their home with three nieces.

In June of 1961, Merle was honored for 35 years of association with Iowa Power and Light Company. This took place on the occasion of his retirement. He began his career with the Light Company in 1926 and served in the areas of lineman, meter reader, collector, service man, cashier, office manager, district accountant and district manager.

Merle served as President of the Adel Rotary Club; as President of the Adel Chamber of Commerce; and had been Post and County Commander of the American Legion. He also held membership in other organizations.

Merle was a birthright member of the Friends church. Upon moving to Adel he became a member of the Christian church. He served some ten years as Deacon, 15 years as Elder, and was presently a member of the Board of Trustees. He was a respected, dedicated and energetic member. There is much physical evidence remaining in the church that will testify to his labor. There will always be the memory of his spiritual strength.

Everyone will recall the time he gave to his home, to his yard and to his flowers. The results achieved were beautiful.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and one sister; the twin brother, Earl, and Walter and Lloyd, and sister Grace.

Survivors include: his wife, Evelyn, of Adel; three nieces and their families: Mrs. Margaret Jordan of Ames, Mrs. Maxine Clark of St. Charles, and Mrs. Alma Rotschafer of Des Moines; seven brothers and sisters: Carl of Des Moines, Miles of Downey, California; Esther Allen of Mount Pleasant; William of Litchfield, Minnesota; Anna Pinnell of Trimmer, California; Emmett of Winterset, and Gladys McCurdy of Ephrata, Washington; and other relatives and friends.