Merle Hershal Burris Jr. (1928-2011)

BURRIS, OLSON, HERBOLD, CARLSON, WINGERT, SCHOL

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/7/2012 at 19:58:36

From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Merle Hershal Burris Jr.
September 20, 1928 - July 12, 2011
Obituary

Ames, Iowa – Merle H. Burris Jr., 82, of Ames, formerly of Sioux City, died Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Story County Medical Center.
Merle was born September 20, 1928, in Sioux City to Merle H.A. and Clara (Olson) Burris. Merle graduated from Sioux City East High School in 1947. He attended colleges in Iowa and Nebraska. Merle was employed at Iowa Public Service Company, a predecessor of MidAmerican Energy, for approximately 30 years, having various titles and duties as a lighting engineer and a consultant. After retiring from Iowa Public Service Company, he started a home inspection business, Home Owner's Aware LTD (HOA LTD). HOA was the first home inspection company in Sioux City. Merle retired a second time, selling his home inspection business in 1995. Over the years he also oversaw the design and construction of eight homes, doing much of the finish work himself.

He was a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and past chairman of the Corn Husker Illumination Society of Western Iowa and Nebraska. Merle was also a graduate and certified by the Academy of Lighting Arts (ALA), member of the Adequate Wiring Bureau, Sioux City Construction League and the Master Building Association of Home Builders. Merle was certified in structural and mechanicals by the American Home Inspection Association.

Merle was a 50 plus year member of St. James United Methodist Church, Morningside Masonic Lodge #615, Royal Arch Masons, Grand Council, Grand Commandry, and Abu Bekr Shrine all in Sioux City.

Merle married Verna Mae Herbold on September 6, 1951, at the Federated Church in Moville, IA. They were blessed with three children, Bradley, Sherrie and Jeffrey. They lived in Sioux City until moving to Ames in 2006.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City. After the graveside service there will be a gathering for family and friends at St. James United Methodist Church, Sioux City.

Survivors include his wife, Verna Mae of Ames; two sons and their wives, Bradley and Catherine Burris of Pipestone, MN and Jeffrey and Kandi Burris of Ames, IA; 9 grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer, Olivia and Noah Burris of Pipestone, Madison and Emily Burris of Ames, Rebecca Carlson of Sioux City, Todd (Kayla) Wingert of Fonda, IA, and Michelle Schol of Golden, CO; 4 great grandchildren, Kadence, Makenna and Kinslee Carlson of Sioux City, and Vienna Wingert of Fonda.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Sherrie Burris Schol.

Condolences may be sent to www.stevensmemorialchapel.com

Arrangements under the direction of Stevens Memorial Chapel, Ames, IA.

http://www.stevensmemorialchapel.com/
 

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