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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Strait, Mearl L.
Mearl L. Strait, 77, of 1021 Rolling Glen Drive, Marion, died Friday, September 11, 2009, at his home. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Marion, by the Rev. Bill Harnish. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of Marion; two sons, Mark Strait of Central City, and John Strait of Huntley, Ill.; two sisters, Shirley (LaVerne) Kobusch of Mims, Fla., and Betty Post of Fort Madison; two brothers, Jerry (Barbara) Strait of Cedar Rapids, and Ronnie (Pat) Strait of Preston; and seven grandchildren, Megan, Nick, Kyle, Emily, Heather, Jared, and Derek.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Steve; five brothers, Leland, Don, Hubert, Marshall, and Gene; and one sister, Louise.
Mearl was born July 22, 1932, in Center Point, the son of Leland and Marjorie (Lint) Strait. He married Evelyn Proffitt on June 5, 1954, at the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids. Mearl was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the United States Marine Corps. He formed M&S Construction in the early 60's and oversaw its operation until his retirement due to health issues.
Memorials in Mearl's honor may be directed to the Marion Fire Department and Rescue Fund at: 3933 Katz Drive, Marion, IA 52302.
Please sign the online guest book for Mearl at under obituaries.
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