Merck, Arthur 'Art' Lorraine

Arthur “Art” Lorraine Merck, 91, of Waverly, formerly of Deep River, died Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly.

Art was born on Nov. 10, 1920, near Webster, Iowa, Keokuk County, the son of Raymond and Dorothy (Jordan) Merck. He attended Buckeye Country School in Iowa County until the eighth grade and later graduated from the Gibson High School in Gibson, Iowa, in 1938. In 1940, Art started college at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and in 1941, transferred to Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. In 1942, he entered the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he served in the Mediterranean Sea. Art was discharged in 1946 and returned to Wheaton College, where he graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Art then worked for Sears and Roebuck Co., in Chicago from 1947 to 1948. In 1948, Art returned to Deep River and started farming. On June 16, 1951, Art was united in marriage to Genevieve Rose Ludwig in Tiffin, Iowa. The couple continued farming near Deep River, retiring in March 1996.

Art was a member of First Baptist Church in Waverly and a past member of Community Church in Deep River. His Savior was very important to him and he enjoyed spreading the Gospel. This began with his family where he taught them to trust and follow Christ and continued in his church and community where he served in many leadership roles including deacon, Sunday school teacher, Christian Farmers Association and East Iowa Bible Camp. His favorite past time was spending time with his children and grandchildren. When he wasn't doing this you might find him on the golf course, leading 4-H or holding a fishing pole.

Art's memory is honored by his five children, David (Nedra) Merck of Ada, Mich., Diana (Bryan) Henderson of Simpsonville, S.C., Joyce (Pastor Brian) Wilkins of Waverly, Julie (Jeff) Holt of Urbandale, and Jolene (John) Biberstine of Berne, Ind.; 14 grandchildren, Joel Merck, Ethan (Aylin) Merck, Micah Merck, Hannah Merck, Daniel Merck, Stephen Henderson, Thaddeus (Jill) Wilkins, Timothy (Kelly Ann) Wilkins, Travis (Beth) Wilkins, Derek Holt, Taylor Holt, Ashley Biberstine, Sarah Biberstine, and Chad Biberstine; three great-grandchildren, Hagen Wilkins, Langston Wilkins and Maia Merck; two brothers, Eugene (Ellen) Merck of Montezuma, and LaVerne Merck of Rochester, Minn.; and two sisters, Marlys Brown of North English and Vivian Kerns of Grimes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Genevieve.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at the First Baptist Church in Waverly, with Pastor Brian Wilkins officiating. Burial will follow at Community Church Cemetery near Deep River at 3 p.m. with the Millersburg American Legion giving honors. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 18, at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church, Community Church or East Iowa Bible Camp and online condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette May 17, 2012.