Mc Naughton, Merrill LeRoy 1944-2007

MC NAUGHTON, JUNCK, BORCHERS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/27/2009 at 10:56:06

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, March 21, 2007

Merrill McNaughton, 62, of Le Mars, died Monday, March 19, 2007, at his home.

Merrill LeRoy McNaughton was born June 24, 1944, in Sioux City, the son of Merrill Richard and Betty (Junck) McNaughton. He was baptized on July 30, 1944 and confirmed on March 30, 1958 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Lawton. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1963. Following graduation from high school, Merrill attended Buena Vista College and Iowa State University.

Merrill's interest in agricultural began at an early age, as a young boy he exhibited livestock at the Clay County Fair, Iowa State Fair, American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Denver Stock Show, and the Arizona State Fair.

He served his country during the Vietnam Conflict with the 185th Air National Guard from May 1968 to May 1969.

Merrill was united in marriage to Shirley Borchers on Sept. 6, 1970, at St. John's Lutheran Church at Le Mars. To this union two sons were born, Aaron and James. Merrill and Shirley farmed near Lawton until 1973 when they moved to their farm in Johnson Township, rural Plymouth County. It was here that Merrill enjoyed one of his greatest passions - farming. Merrill continued to actively farm with his illness until his illness in February 2007.

He was involved in several agricultural organizations, including: board of directors of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau, Plymouth County Pork Producers, American Angus Association, farm safety consultant for the University of Iowa and a 4-H leader for the Grant Little Giants. He was also a member of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, Heeren-McHale-Wilken American Legion Post #724 of Brunsville and the Le Mars Sportsman's Club.

Merrill enjoyed volunteering at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds for many years. He enjoyed taking family vacations, especially the fishing trips to Canada with his sons Aaron and Jim. He also enjoyed playing and coaching baseball. Merrill had played on teams in Lawton as well as coached Little League in Lawton and Le Mars.

Merrill enjoyed dancing, playing cards and going to coffee with friends. Another joy in Merrill's life was playing with his granddaughter, Lilly Rose. Most of all Merrill was a devoted son, husband, dad, grandpa, and friend you could always count on. His family was very important to him and he always enjoyed being with them.

Merrill is survived by his wife of 36 years, Shirley of Le Mars; two sons, Aaron McNaughton and his wife Carmen and their daughter Lilly Rose of Le Mars and James McNaughton of Vermillion, S.D.; his mother, Betty (Junck) McNaughton of Sioux City; two sisters, Barbette McNaughton of Lawton and Jeanine Chartier and her husband Stan of Lawton; five brothers, Dr. Clifford McNaughton and his wife Nancy of Sioux Falls, S.D., Craig McNaughton and his wife Kris of Lawton, Brian McNaughton of Lawton, Rick McNaughton of Lawton, and Curt McNaughton and his wife Kris of Lawton; his mother-in-law, Regina Borchers of Le Mars; brothers-in-laws, Ron Borchers and his wife Twila of Akron and LeRoy Borchers and his wife Pat of Le Mars; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Merrill was preceded in death by his father, Merrill Richard McNaughton and his father-in-law, Fred G. Borchers.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Heeren-McHale-Wilken American Legion Post #724 of Brunsville will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. Thursday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present after 5 p.m. to greet friends followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Mort Zenor, Kenny Taylor, Don Schultz, Norm Williams, Dean Varenhorst and Bill Osterbuhr. Honorary casketbearers will be Bill Goodwin Jr., Harold "Mick" McDermott, Dean Beitelspacher, Clark Tindall, Randy Johnson, Ed Beitelspacher, Gene Beitelspacher and Kurt Haage.