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Don Merchant
DON MERCHANT
Vinton
Don Merchant, 82, of Vinton, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Prairie Creek Church near Urbana, with the Rev. Dennis Sackett officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton. Interment will be at Cox Cemetery near Urbana, with graveside military rites conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and Iowa Military Funeral Honors.
Don was born Dec. 9, 1931, in Vinton to Carl and Elsie (Williams) Merchant. He was united in marriage to Viola Tuttle on Nov. 24, 1973, in Vinton.
Before his retirement, Don was an owner/op-erator of a trucking business and the Vinton Elevator. He also worked for Benton County Secondary Roads.
Don was a member of Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton.
Don is survived by his sons, John (Melea) Merchant of Vinton and Marshall (Thanya) Seltrecht; his daughters, Sue Ann Hunt of Vinton, Monica (Dan) Fried- man of Belle Plaine, Billie Jo Coady of Vinton and Chris (Lynn) Lafler of Van Horne; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Derald (Karen) Merchant and Terry Merchant, both of Vinton; his stepsister, Marcia Hite of Vinton; and two step-brothers, Larry Moody of Mount Auburn and Don Moody of Vinton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Viola; one daughter, Cindy Merchant; granddaughter, Jacque Merchant; great-grandson, Paul Smith Jr.; son-in-law, Linwood Hunt; brother, Dale Merchant; and one stepbrother, Keith Moody.
A memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left at: www.phillips funeralhomes.com.
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