Merle Mary (Downing) DONEGAN GRISWOLD MARTIN

DOWNING, DONEGAN, GRISWOLD, MARTIN, DILDINE, OTOOLE, HALVESON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:43

1 August 1893 --- 23 May 1989

MERLE MARY MARTIN
Merle Mary Downing was born August 1, 1893, the daughter of Michael and Ella Dildine Downing at Greene. She received her education at Elmore, Minn., and graduated from Elmore Senior High School in 1911. Merle was united in marriage to Arthur Martin of Eagle Grove on June 29, 1942, at Kansas City, Mo. The couple made their home in Eagle Grove. Arthur along with his father, operated Martin and Son Grocery Store, in Eagle Grove. After the death of his father, Arthur and Merle assumed sole ownership of the store. On August 10, 1984, Merle, along with her husband, moved to the Rotary Ann Nursing Home in Eagle Grove. Merle was a 50-year member of the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Merle's fight with an extended illness came to an end, as Merle died Tuesday morning, May 23, 1969, at the Rotary Ann Nursing Home at the age of 96.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Paul Downing; and one sister, Mrytle Mathison. She is survived by her husband; two sons; Paul and Garth Donegan of Tucson, Ariz.; a daughter, Beverly OToole, Astoria, Ore.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a niece, Pauline Halveson of Mankato, Minn.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. May 27 at the Kastler-Babcock Funeral Home, Eagle Grove, with the Rev. Scott C. Hall officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
May 31, 1989

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[1st husband George Donegan; 2nd husband Frederick Griswold; 3rd husband Arthur James Martin;]