Merle Maxted (1926-2007)

MAXTED, HUTCHINSON, SANDRIDGE, DEYOE, SORENSEN, CLARY, LEGAN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/22/2007 at 23:45:29

The Story City Herald, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, November 21, 2007.

Merle Maxted, aged 81, of Sigourney, died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 at his home following a brief illness.

Merle was born May 19, 1926 in Peru, Nebraska to Cyril and Bessie (Hutchinson) Maxted and graduated from Huntley, Wyoming High School. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany at the end of World War II. On August 20, 1947, Merle married Alta Sandridge in Kimball, Nebraska.

Merle was a life long farmer, raising wheat and sunflowers. He worked farms near Kimball, Nebraska, in South Dakota and in western Iowa until retiring to Sigourney in 1993. Merle was a member of the Sigourney United Methodist Church, Webb Lodge #182 A.F. & A.M. and Aspasia Chapter # 198 O.E.S. in Sigourney.

Merle was extremely active in community affairs, serving on several school boards, many committees and the Sigourney Senior Center board. He was an avid woodworker, donating many projects to local organizations and his family. On Sept. 5, 2007 Merle was awarded the State of Iowa, Governor's Volunteer Award.

Survivors include his wife, Alta of Sigourney; three sons: James and wife Traci of Cedar Rapids, Michael and wife Mary of Washington and Jack of Story City; four grandchildren, Jeff Maxted, Jen DeYoe, Angie Maxted, and Melody Maxted; sister Mary Sorensen of Kimball, Nebraska; brother Donald Maxted of Kimball, Nebraska; and sister-in-law Vera Clary of Gering, Nebraska.

His parents and two siblings, Josephine Legan and Tommy Maxted, preceded him in death.

Memorial services were held on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at 3 p.m. at the Sigourney United Methodist Church with Rev. John Hembry officiating. Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at the Reynolds-Powell Funeral Chapel in Sigourney, where there was a Masonic and Eastern Star service at 7 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established for the Shepherding committee at the Sigourney United Methodist Church. Reynolds-Powell Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service in Sigourney handled the arrangements. Condolences may be emailed at
www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.