Martin 'Marty, ' Mearl E.

Mearl E. Martin “Marty,” a resident of The MethWick Community, passed away there after several years of care. There will be no services at this time as he has arranged to donate his body to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, with cremation to follow. Inurnment will then take place at IOOF Cemetery, Indianola. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Mearl graduated high school in Basin, Wyo. He was a member of the Simpson College class of 1950, and served two years in the Army in Korea. After discharge, he was employed by Iowa Packing Co., sales division, Des Moines; Brown's Turkey Hatchery, Indianola; and Hubbard Milling Co., Cedar Rapids. He then worked for Al Shepard Insurance Co., Mutual of Omaha and Sears in Cedar Rapids from which he retired. He worked briefly after retirement at Star Fixture, Cedar Rapids.

Mearl was active in scouting and was very proud to have received his Eagle Badge. He loved to sing in church and college choirs. He was a 50+ year member of the Indianola Masonic Lodge and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids. He also loved the Model A Antique Car Club as well as camping with his family and mall walking.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Bonnie; three children, Mark (Becky) Martin of Kearney, Mo., Dawn (David) Rutledge of Palo and Paul Martin of Cedar Rapids; one grandson, Sean (Jeni) Rutlege; and great-grandchildren, Emma and Caiden Rutledge, all of Palo. Mearl is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Strennen of Des Moines; and three nieces and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Martin; and his grandson, Seth Martin Rutlege.

The family would like to thank Mearl's caregivers at MethWick for their love and dedication.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of the givers choice.

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

Published in The Gazette Feb. 2, 2012