Sparenborg, Merle C.

Merle C. Sparenborg, 85, a longtime resident of Marion, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following a long illness. Services: 1 p.m. Monday, Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation service, Marion, by the Rev. Mike Morgan. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.

Survivors include his wife, Joy; children, Susan (Andy) Dergo of Marion, Steve (Brenda) Sparenborg of Poolesville, Md., and Sandra Sparenborg of Marion; and six grandchildren, Brian Dergo and Kirsten, Jayden (Jesse), Jeff, Kara and Katie Sparenborg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Pabst; and brother, Howard Sparenborg.

Merle was born Feb. 29, 1924, in Dike, Iowa, the son of Harm and Anna (Lutjen) Sparenborg. He married Georgiana Joy Cagley March 2, 1947, in Charles City, Iowa. Merle retired from Stamats Publishing in 1989, after working more than 40 years as a printer. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Marion.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, Marion, in Merl's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Merle at under obituaries.