Merck, Arthur Lorraine 1920-2012

MERCK, JORDAN, LUDWIG, HENDERSON, WILKINS, HOLT, BIBERSTINE, BROWN, KERNS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 2/5/2014 at 14:43:26

The Record (Montezuma, IA)
May 24, 2012

ARTHUR "ART" MERCK

Arthur "Art" Lorraine Merck, 91, of Waverly and formerly of Deep River, died May 16, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, Waverly. Services were May 19, at the First Baptist Church in Waverly. Burial was in Community Church Cemetery east of Deep River with the Deep River American Legion providing honors.

Art was born Nov. 10, 1920, near Webster, the son of Raymond and Dorothy (Jordan) Merck. He attended Buckeye Country School in Iowa County until the 8th grade and later was graduated from Gibson High School in 1938. In 1940, Art started college at Iowa Wesleyan College at Mt. Pleasant and in 1941, transferred to Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.

In 1942, he entered the US Navy during WWII, where he served in the Mediterranean Sea. Art was discharged in 1946 and returned to Wheaton College, where he was graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Art then worked for Sears and Roebuck Company in Chicago from 1947-1948. In 1948, Art returned to Deep River and started farming. On June 16, 1951, Art was united in marriage to Genevieve Rose Ludwig in Tiffin. The couple continued farming near Deep River, retiring in March of 1996.

Art was a member of First Baptist Church in Waverly and a past member of Community Church in Deep River. His Savior was very important to him and he enjoyed spreading the gospel. This began with his family where he taught them to trust and follow Christ and continued in his church and community where he served in many leadership roles including Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Christian Farmers Association, and East Iowa Bible Camp. His favorite past time was spending time with his children and grandchildren. When he wasn't doing this you might find him on the golf course, leading 4-H, or holding a fishing pole.

Art's memory is honored by his five children: David (Nedra) Merck of Ada, Mich., Diana (Bryan) Henderson of Simpsonville, S.C., Joyce (Pastor Brian) Wilkins of Waverly, Julie (Jeff) Holt of Urbandale, and Jolene (John) Biberstine of Berne, Ind.; 14 grandchildren, Joel Merck, Ethan (Aylin) Merck, Micah Merck, Hannah Merck, Daniel Merck, Stephen Henderson, Thaddeus (Jill) Wilkins, Timothy (Kellyann) Wilkins, Travis (Beth) Wilkins, Derek Holt, Taylor Holt, Ashley Biberstine, Sarah Biberstine, and Chad Biberstine; three great-grandchildren, Hagen Wilkins, Langston Wilkins, and Maia Merck; two brothers, Eugene (Ellen) Merck of Montezuma, and LaVerne Merck of Rochester, Minnesota; and two sisters, Marlys Brown of North English and Vivian Kerns of Grimes. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Genevieve.