Freed, Merle D.

Merle D. Freed, 80, of 348 Windsor Dr. NE, died Wednesday, April 7, 2010, peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Celebration of Life: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at Oakland Church of the Nazarene, by the Rev. Dave King. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion and one hour before services Saturday at the church. Burial: Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eileen of Cedar Rapids; three children, Bev (Dennis) Foster of South Sterling, Pa., Jeffory (Debbie) Freed of Des Moines and K.C. (Tiffany) Freed of McKinney, Texas; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Frank Freed and Loren Freed; and a sister, Eunice Hartman.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

Merle was born Nov. 26, 1929, in Sutherland, Neb., the son of Frank and Lessie (Davenport) Freed. In 1948, Merle graduated from Stratton High School in Stratton, Neb. He married Eileen League on Feb. 25, 1950, in Sterling, Ill. Merle was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1952-1956, during the Korean conflict. He was employed at Rockwell for 20 years, until his retirement.

Merle was a member of Oakland Church of the Nazarene and had served in many local church and district leadership positions. Merle was first and foremost a sanctified, spirit-filled child of God who shared the Good News of Jesus with everyone he encountered. He was an avid outdoorsman and had a deep love for God's creation.

Memorials may be directed to Oakland Church of the Nazarene, 3000 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

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