Winchell, Merle "Gordy" 1925-1995

WINCHELL, GARRETSON, LAUBER, CRISWELL, SMITH, MCGHGHY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/9/2012 at 12:46:10

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; March 6, 1995

MERLE WINCHELL

Merle "Gordy" Winchell, 69, of Grinnell died Wednesday, March 1, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Claussen, pastor of Woodlawn Christian Church in Lake City, officiating. Organist was Margaret Wheeler, and soloist was John Claussen.

Pallbearers were Larry, Dennis, Ralph and Dick Winchell, Max Crawford Jr. and Mark Lauber. Honorary bearers were Fred Baker, Jim Evans, Randy German, Fred Johnson, Harry Smith, Bill Tunink and Jerry Winchell.

Veterans ceremonial rites were conducted by members of the Malcom American Legion Post, with burial in Hazelwood Cemetery.

The son of Ralph R. and Hazel Garretson Winchell, he was born July 12, 1925, in Malcom. He was raised in Malcom and attended school there. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II.

On June 27, 1947, he was married to Doris V. Lauber in Grinnell. They lived in Malcom until moving to Grinnell in 1971. Mr. Winchell was employed by Malcom Farmers Cooperative Elevator and was a self-employed truck driver. He later was employed by the Maytag Co. in Newton, retiring in 1986.

Surviving are his wife; his children, Mike of Des Moines, Linda Winchell of Grinnell and Diane Criswell of Montezuma; four grandchildren; and two brothers, John of Grinnell and Walter of Troy, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Debra Lynn Winchell; three brothers, Charles, Lloyd, and Glen; and four sisters, Elizabeth Smith, Ella Mae Winchell, Edna Winchell and Wanda McGhghy.