Merle Pedley, age 88, of Ocheyedan, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at Sanford Worthington Regional Medical Center in Worthington, Minnesota.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Ocheyedan. Rev. Steve Swenson officiating.
Burial to follow at Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 18, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Ocheyedan.
Merle (Doc) Lee Pedley died surrounded by family in the Sanford Worthington Medical Center in Worthington, MN on April 16, 2017 at the age of 88 years.
Merle is survived by his wife, Sarah (Sally) Sidler Pedley, sons Joe Pedley of Lake Park, IA; Jerry (Donna) Pedley of Sanford, NC; Kevin (Becky) Pedley of Sanford, NC; Keith (Barb) Pedley of Ocheyedan, IA; Ryan (Janet) Pedley of Ocheyedan, IA; daughter Rhonda (Bevin) Walinga of Weston, NE; brother Bob (Luella) Pedley of Ocheyedan, IA; and step-sister Donna Peterson of Torrington, WY. Merle’s grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren include Megan (Zoe) Pedley Browden; Jeremy (Jacob Pedley, Justin Pedley, Jordan Pedley, Ashley [Ainsley and Aurora] Melpolder, Chasity Raif and Erika [Dixie] Munger) Pedley; Jennifer (Grant and Will) Potratz; Travis (Austin, Alyson, Cameron, Conner) Pedley; Kirk (Morgan and Kadin) Pedley; Angie (Brady) Klaassen; David (Paige, Cole, Hallie, Aubree) Pedley; Kyle (Jaxon and Karter) Pedley; Tessa (Beau, Jordyn and Jaelyn) Kapperman; Nathan and Michael Patten. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Clara Pedley (Paisley).
Merle was born on February 10, 1929, on a farm near Ocheyedan, IA to Joe and Clara Pedley. He graduated from Ocheyedan High School in 1947. He got married to Sally Sidler on September 29, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Merle grew up on the farm, taking over the farm responsibilities at the age of 12 with his 13 year-old brother, Bob, after their father died in a farming accident. Merle eventually earned a student’s pilot license, but ultimately earned a living as a dairy farmer for more than 60 years. He and his wife moved into Ocheyedan after retirement in 1991. While continuing to farm some of his own land and helping his son on the family farm, Merle also took on a part-time job with Northern Iowa Die Casting, Inc. of Lake Park, Iowa. He retired again in 2012.
Over a period of 13 years, the couple welcomed five sons and adopted one daughter into their home, and Merle taught them all the value of hard work, honesty and accountability. His children remember him as a loving father who encouraged them to pursue their goals.
Merle was a kind man who was a friend and honorary grandfather to many. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, going out to eat with his wife and friends, and used to square dance with his wife as a member of the Worthington Turkey Trotters. He was also an active member of the Ocheyedan United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees over the years. Merle also served on the REC board of directors for 18 years and served on the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery Board for 10 years.
[S5] Find A Grave, → Memorial ID 178485779.
1929 - 2017 (88 years)
Siblings
. Rhonda PEDLEY [Adopted]
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