Mervin “Merv” Robert Morgan

Mervin “Merv” Robert Morgan

Grinnell

Mervin “Merv” Robert Morgan, 91, of Grinnell died Friday, May 31, 2024 at Arbor Springs Nursing Home in West Des Moines, surrounded by family, under the care of Suncrest Hospice.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 AM Monday, June 10, 2024 at Grinnell United Methodist Church with interment in Hazelwood Cemetery. A luncheon will be hosted at the church following the burial.

The family will receive friends for a visitation from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home – Grinnell. A Masonic service will follow the visitation beginning at 6:00 PM.

Merv was born on October 4, 1932 at St. Francis Hospital in Grinnell, Iowa, son of Robert and Virginia (Lytle) Morgan. Merv was the older brother to Gene and Betty. He grew up on the family farm south of Brooklyn, in Poweshiek County, Iowa. Merv attended a one-room schoolhouse in Scott Township until the 9th grade. He graduated from Brooklyn High School with the class of 1951 and was involved in the FFA showing sheep. After high school, Merv worked on the family farm.

In 1952, Merv joined the Navy and did his basic training in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a sailor on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington and did a tour of the Mediterranean stopping in Italy, France, and Spain. Upon completing his tour of duty, Merv was stationed in Quonset Bay, Rhode Island and Norfolk, Virginia. After four years in the Navy, Merv was honorably discharged and returned to farming with his family in Poweshiek County.

On June 18, 1960, Merv and Jacqueline "Jackie" Kay Wells were married at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell, Iowa. The couple lived a few years on the family farm and then moved to Grinnell, where they made their home and lived together until Jackie's death in 1978. He never remarried.

Merv resided in Grinnell from 1961 until 2023. He lived in the same ranch house he helped build at the end of 5th Avenue for 55 of those years. He was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church, the Mason’s, and the American Legion. In 2013, he was honored to take the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Merv worked for the Donaldson Company for 30 years in Grinnell as a foreman. In his free time, he enjoyed working on cars, going to car auctions, family celebrations, attending his grandkids’ activities, traveling, growing tomatoes in his garden, and sitting under his shade tree with friends. In July of 2016, Merv finished visiting all 50 states with a stop in Vermont. Merv enjoyed camping and had several campers over the years. He regularly attended the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and often camped for a week or longer. In 1995, Merv retired from Donaldson’s and spent his winters in Chandler, Arizona, which he loved. After his retirement, he delivered Winnebago campers to various destinations throughout the United States.

Merv is survived by his children; Melinda (David) Keller of Polk City, Iowa, David (Therese) Morgan of Ankeny, Iowa, Chris (Jolie) Morgan of Clive, Iowa, and Scott (Susan) Morgan of Eagle Lake, Minnesota; grandchildren, Stephanie (David) Stagg, Nicholas (Sierra) Keller, Tanner, Riley, Andrew, Olivia, Garrigan, and Simon Morgan; and one great-grandchild, Avery Stagg. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; siblings and their spouses, Gene (Joyce) Morgan and Betty (Richard) Osborne.

If desired, memorial contributions may be designated to the Alzheimer’s Association or Grinnell United Methodist Church and mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.