Sam K. Merrill June 29, 1927 – January 25, 2010

Sam K. Merrill, youngest child of Forest R. and Lucile (McCreary) Merrill, was born June 29, 1927 at the home on a ranch north of Wray, Colorado. He departed this life on January 25, 2010 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr at the age of 82 years.

He attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Wray high school in 1944. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served the American and Asiatic Pacific during World War II. After returning from the service, he came to Kellerton, Iowa where his parents had moved. There he would meet his lovely wife, Beverly Jackson, and they were married May 27, 1949 in Blanchard, Iowa. Together they made Kellerton their home through many happy years. Sam drove a fuel truck for Kellerton Oil Company for several years and in February 1965, he was appointed postmaster of the Kellerton Post Office, serving there until his retirement in 1990.

He was a member of the Kellerton United Methodist Church, served 25 years as a volunteer fireman and was on the Kellerton American Legion Post #676 firing squad for 50 years. Sam and Bev were married 56 years before her passing.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Bev, in 2005; his parents, Forest in 1962 and Lucile in 1983; brother, Maynard, in 1987; brother-in-law, Clifford Allen in 1987, and a sister, Phyllis, in infancy.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sister, Esther Allen, and a brother, Dean Merrill and wife Rose, all of Kellerton, Iowa; brother-in-law, Park Jackson and wife Ina of Omaha, Nebraska, and numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends. 

Memorials are to the United Methodist Church in Kellerton. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.

Services were held at the United Methodist Church, Kellerton, Iowa on Saturday, January 30, 2010, with Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating. Musicians were Justin Akers and Sandy Campbell.

Flag presentation was by Kellerton American Legion Post #676.Taps were played by Matt Munyon.

Casket bearers included Curt Jackson, Steve Norris, Don Allen, Dale Allen, Gilbert Garton and Michael Brown.

Honorary pallbearers were Orville Lines and all active and retired postmasters.

Sam was laid at rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.