Ernest Merit

Visitation

Tuesday, May 6, 2008after 4:00 PM

Family Present 4 -7 PMOhde Funeral HomeCoon Rapids, Iowa

Funeral Service

Wednesday, May 7, 200810:30 AM

First Christian Church Coon Rapids, Iowa

Officiating

Pastor Ben Ramirez

Music

Amazing Grace?    The Old Rugged Cross?

Here I Am Lord?

Congregation

Im Already There?     Lone Star Recording

Lois Shirbroun, Organist

Interment

Union Township Cemetery,Coon Rapids, Iowa

Casket Bearers

George Kress    Eugene Reineke    Denny Pierce   Dave Halbur   Jim Kracht    Steve Cadwallader

Honorary Casket Bearers

John Richards      Willie Thomas

Mark Pingrey     Mike Anthofer

Ernies Grandchildren

Tiffany Hamil    Eric Lloyd    Cassie Warner

Allie Brooks     Jacobe Merit

   Ernest Ernie?, son of Ruben and Luella (Brown) Merit, was born November 29, 1941, at Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Several years later the family moved to the family farm near Miami, OK, where he attended school and graduated from Miami High School with the Class of 1959. He then completed a year of electronics trade school. On March 4, 1961, Ernie was united in marriage with Judith Helms at Hudson Creek Baptist Church in Fairland, OK. They made their home in Miami, OK.

   In 1967, Ernie and Judy moved to Coon Rapids, Iowa, where he started working for Garst and Thomas in April. Ernie retired from Garst Seed Company in June of 2005. Since that time, Ernest worked part-time at A to Z Enterprises and Syngenta Bean Lab, both in Coon Rapids.

   Ernest was a Charter Member of Coon Rapids Lions Club and a 20-year member of Coon Rapids Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the First Christian Church. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and raising a big garden. He was a NASCAR fan and liked to take trips to the casinos in the area. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

   Ernest suffered a stroke on Thursday, May 1, 2008, and never fully recovered. He died at Mercy Medical Center ICU, Des Moines, Iowa, early Sunday, May 4, 2008, at the age of 66 years, 5 months and 5 days.

   Preceding him in death are his parents; father and mother-in-law Jim and Ruby Ohler; and sister-in law Charlene Griffin.

   Ernest is survived by his wife Judy Merit of Coon Rapids; daughter Pamela and husband Doug Lloyd of Coon Rapids; son John Merit and wife Deena of Coon Rapids; five grandchildren: Tiffany and husband Jason Hamil; Eric Lloyd and fianc Stephanie Dukes; Cassie and husband Tyler Warner; Allie and husband Mike Brooks; and Jacobe Merit and special friend John Cory; five great-grandchildren: Trevor Hamil; Trenton Warner; Abby Brooks, Michelle Brooks and Patrick Cory; three brothers Clarence Merit, Glen Merit and wife Joann and Morris Merit and wife Helen all of Miami, OK; brothers-in-law Gail Helms and wife Nita of Broken Arrow, OK; Max Helms and wife Debbie of Diamond, MO; and David Helms and wife Beverly of Grove, OK; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.