Cox, Merle Burdette

Merle Burdette Cox, 85, of Waterloo, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Jan. 4, 2010, at his home. Memorial services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4031 Lafayette Rd., Evansdale, with visitation one hour before service time. Military honors provided by United States Navy Honor Guard. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. In accordance with Merle's wishes, his body has been cremated. Arrangements are with Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories in Waterloo.

Merle was born Feb. 9, 1925, on the family farm in Oneida Township, Delaware County, Iowa, the son of George and Letha (Hutson) Cox. He graduated from Oneida High School in 1933. Merle spent much of his early years farming with his father and racing cars on country back roads until he was drafted into the U.S Navy in 1943. He married Helen Heiserman in 1946 and they later divorced. Merle was discharged from the Navy in 1946. He was drafted again into the Navy during the Korean War and served from 1951 until 1952. Merle began working as a machinist for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, where he worked until his retirement in 1981. Merle married Mary Schwartz on Aug. 22, 1964; she died March 6, 1980. He then married Opal Miller on July 13, 1981; she died Dec. 30, 2007.

Merle loved working with cars, especially painting them. He also enjoyed fishing and boating. Merle was a member of the Jesup American Legion and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Evansdale. In retirement, he ran a ceramic shop in Marion and Jesup with his wife, Opal.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Milner Cox and Gordon Cox; a sister, Phyllis Hakanson; and a granddaughter, Michelle Lynn.

Merle is survived by two sons, Allen (Barb) Cox of Anamosa and Duane (Terri) Cox of Marion; three daughters, Denise (Bob) Johnson of Omaha, Neb., Rose (Duane) Candler of Vinton and Kathy (Charlie) Wrestler of Wichita, Kan.; two stepchildren; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Francis (Jeanne) Cox of Manchester; a sister, Lois Culbertson of Sherrill, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Jean Cox of California.

As a show of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to the Cedar Falls Lutheran Home, 7511 University Ave., Cedar Falls, IA 50613.

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