HENRY, Merrill W. (1931-2019)

HENRY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/27/2019 at 16:06:54

Merrill W. Henry
(March 4, 1931 - June 13, 2019)

Funeral services for Merrill W. Henry, 88, of Indianola, who passed peacefully at Iowa Methodist Hospital after a brief illness, on Thursday, June 13, 2019, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 17, at First Assembly of God Church, Indianola. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Indianola.
A farmer from his first breath, Merrill W. Henry was born at home in Warren County, Iowa on March 4, 1931, the 4th of 5 children. He attended grade school at Moore Country School and graduated 12th in his class from Indianola High School at the age of 16 in 1947. His mode of transportation was a model A which he drove to school and we are told he courted Edith on an Indian Chief motorcycle. He grew up raising and showing Angus cattle and continued in the purebred Angus business until his death. The name Meredith Angus is well known for producing top quality breeding stock. Merrill was very involved with the Warren County Angus Association managing the food stand at the County Fair and the Annual County Sale. He was a leader of the B-Square 4-H club for many years and acted as a chaperone hauling kids and calves to Ak-Sar-Ben. He also weighed calves at the Warren County Fair for over 20 years and hardly ever missed the pick of the Grand Champion. (we might add not always agreeing with the judge!)
Merrill was an Asgrow Seed Dealer for many years and was a pioneer in no-till farming. Conservation of the soil was important to him. He won awards for his seed sales, County Yield Contests and conservation practices.
Merrill also proudly served our country in the Army National Guard, Co. B, 168th Infantry regiment at the rank of private, enlisting at the age of 17.
He was the family historian remembering events, names, dates, etc. And he never ran out of a good joke. Once you got him started, he had story after story.
Raising 5 boys had to be a challenge. They knew not to act up if sitting near him because you would get the “knee squeeze”. Even the grandkids knew about that and the raised eyebrow. But he was a gentle man when it came to caring for his animals.
Merrill is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edith; sons, Craig (Jeannie), Lynn (Claire), Brad (Beth), Steve (Jeri Le) and Layne (Geri); 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren with 2 more to come in 2019. Also, his brothers, Edwin (Ruth) and Dale (Lucille); many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruth; sister, Martha Strahan; brother, Harvey; niece, Denise Morton; and nephew, Darrell.
Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, June 16, at Overton Funeral Home, Indianola. In lieu of flowers the family would request memorials be made to the Warren County Fair or the Iowa Angus Association. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/