STOAKES, Merle (1914-1997)

STOAKES

Posted By: Von Stachon (email)
Date: 3/11/2007 at 15:02:55

OBITUARY

MERLE STOAKES

Funeral services for Merle D. Stoakes, 82, of Traer, were held Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997, 2 pm at Overton Funeral Home in Traer with the Revs. Mark Binder and Rick Vesely officiating. Burial was in Buckingham Cemetery, rural Traer.

Merle died Sunday, Jan. 12, 1997, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo following a short illness.

Casket bearers were Russell Drinovsky, Steve Fuller, Bruce Stammer, Mike Pargeon, Mike Reuman and Sam Young. Mr. and Mrs. Keith Earley were in charge of floral tributes.

Merle Dryden Stoakes was born near Traer on May 10, 1914, the son of Jay and Mabel (Townley) Stoakes. He received his education at Traer graduating in the Class of 1931. Merle then began farming.

On June 5, 1934, Merle was united in marriage to Marie Holtz at the home of her parents in Dysart. The couple then moved to Dysart and Merle continued to farm and operated the meat department at Bader's Grocery and Dry Goods Store.

In 1952 Merle and Marie moved near Traer to farm and in 1966 they purchased the Traer Meat Mrket. The couple sold the meat market in 1983 and retired to their home on First Street in Traer.

He was a member of the Ripley United Church of Christ.

During free moments Merle enjoyed weaving rugs; was an accomplished gardener and never missed an opportunity to go fishing with Marie and his friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one grandson, Scott and one brother, Lucien.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Stoakes of Traer; one son, Joe and his wife Jean Stoakes of Waterloo; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one sister, Beth Hotzel of Des Moines.

A memorial fund has been established.