Merle Orin GEARHART

GEARHART, MIDTHUN, MCCORMICK, HICKS, MERSCH, PINKELE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/2/2016 at 03:14:21

September 23, 1923 ----- October 13, 1981

Merle Orin (Bud) Gearhart, the son of Samuel M. and Marie O. Midthun Gearhart, was born on September 21, 1923 at Bolan, in Worth county, Iowa. At the age of 5 years, he moved with his family to Eagle Grove. He grew up in Eagle Grove and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School. During World War II, Bud served in the United States Coast Guard. On January 17, 1946, he was united in marriage with Lois J. McCormick at Fort Dodge, Iowa. The couple made their home in Eagle Grove and to this union were born three children, Kent, Marcia and LuAnn. He was a railroad engineer for many years for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Eagle Grove American Legion Post and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

He died at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn, on Tuesday night, October 13, 1981, after an illness of several months. He attained the age of 58 years and 22 days.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; his children, Kent and his wife, Murial Gearhart of rural Eagle Grove; Marcia and her husband, Donald Hicks of Centralia, Illinois; LuAnn and her husband, Gordon Mersch of rural Eagle Grove; seven grandchildren; a sister, Geneva, Mrs. Louis Pinkele of rural Eagle Grove; two brothers, Joe Gearhart of Eagle Grove; Orville Gearhart of Whittier, Calif.; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Harriett Gearhart of Eagle Grove and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Genevive and a brother, Sam.

Funeral services for Merle O. Gearhart were held on Friday, October 16, 1981 at 1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove. Rev. Don Callen officiated and burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove. Visitation was held at the Kastler-Babcock Funeral Home on Thursday.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Iowa
October 21, 1981

Source -- Paul Wilde