Brown, Merlin L. 1926-2004
BROWN, MOREHEAD, PHILIPS
Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/29/2007 at 14:10:14
LE MARS, Iowa -- Merlin L. Brown, 77, of Le Mars died suddenly Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness with acute leukemia.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Adaville United Methodist Church (21150 C-38) rural Merrill, Iowa, with the Rev. Benjamin Meeks officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.
Merlin Lyle Brown was born Dec. 8, 1926, on the family farm in Johnson Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa, to Elmer and Gertrude (Morehead) Brown. He was baptized at the Adaville Evangelical United Brethren Church. He attended country school in Johnson Township and later graduated from Le Mars Central High School.
He was united in marriage to Cleone Philips on Dec. 1, 1950, at the Adaville church. Shortly after their marriage, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years at Camp Gordon, near Augusta, Ga., during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge in 1952, he returned to the family farm in Johnson Township. He continued to farm until the mid-1960s, when he embarked on a second career. He attended Nettleton Business Training in Sioux City and upon completion of his accounting education began his career with Sioux City Federal Savings and Loan. He retired after more than 20 years with the bank in 1989. In 1997, the couple moved from the farm into Le Mars.
During his retirement, he enjoyed working part-time with Le Mars Ford Mercury, shuttling cars back and forth to Le Mars. He enjoyed visiting with people and volunteering. For many years, he was Santa at Plymouth Manor. He had also discovered his talent, baking cookies. He became known as the "cookie man" to his family and friends.
He was a life member of the Adaville church. He had sung in the church choir for many years and had held several church positions throughout the years. He had also preformed with the Le Mars Community Theater and was a 50-year member of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Cleone of Le Mars; a son and his wife, Stephen and Audrey Brown and their son, Clint of Merrill, Iowa; a daughter, Krista Brown of Le Mars and her son, Tymond Brown, stationed with the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Va.; a son, Lansing Brown of Le Mars; a daughter, Lisa Thimmesch of Mitchelville, Iowa and her children, Terren and his wife, Amanda Zachow of Hull, Iowa, and Joshua Keek of Washta, Iowa; Diane Johnson and her family, Rod and Janet Johnson of Ames, Iowa, Robyn and Tim Royer of Waukee, Iowa, and Jeff, Elizabeth, Ashley, Keith and Kayleen, all of Waukee, Iowa; eight great-grandchildren, Sydney Brown, Tierra Zachow, Xander Zachow, Joshua Johnson, Laura Johnson, Luke Johnson, Taylor Royer and Regan Royer; a brother and his wife, Kenneth and Eva Brown of Le Mars; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Gertrude (Morehead) Brown.
Pallbearers will be Stephen Brown, Mark Brown, Kent Brown, Clint Brown, Tymond Brown and Scott Mitchell.
[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collecton; source: Sioux City Journal]
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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