Merle Leroy Exler
December 1, 1923 — January 5, 2003
Merle LeRoy Drexler, 79, of 1235 Eisenhower Road, Hiawatha, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, January 5, 2003. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2003, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. David Schatz. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m, Wednesday at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion, with a Vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Prairieburg with military rites.
Surviving are his wife, Carolyn; their children, Terry (Patti) Drexler of Cedar Rapids, Debby (Bob) Wernimont of Cedar Rapids, Merle "Sonny? Drexler of Thorton Colorado, Shannon Drexler of Naperville, Illinois, and Danny Clark of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Margaret (Lawrence) Joslin of Cedar Rapids; and a sister-in-law, Bea Drexler.
Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Connie Jo Drexler, three sons, Rodney Lynn Drexler, Jeffrey Jeffries and Wayne Clark, a brother, Ray Drexler and a sister, Dorothy Woodward.
He was born the son of Louis and Rose Kula Drexler on December 1, 1923, in Cedar Rapids. On August 13, 1974, in St. Pius Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Marie Pigman. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Merle was a self-employed home builder. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and VFW Post 788, which will conduct the military rites.
Merle was a dad and grandpa to many. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking.
A memorial fund has been established in Merle's memory.
Surviving are his wife, Carolyn; their children, Terry (Patti) Drexler of Cedar Rapids, Debby (Bob) Wernimont of Cedar Rapids, Merle "Sonny? Drexler of Thorton Colorado, Shannon Drexler of Naperville, Illinois, and Danny Clark of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Margaret (Lawrence) Joslin of Cedar Rapids; and a sister-in-law, Bea Drexler.
Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Connie Jo Drexler, three sons, Rodney Lynn Drexler, Jeffrey Jeffries and Wayne Clark, a brother, Ray Drexler and a sister, Dorothy Woodward.
He was born the son of Louis and Rose Kula Drexler on December 1, 1923, in Cedar Rapids. On August 13, 1974, in St. Pius Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Marie Pigman. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Merle was a self-employed home builder. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and VFW Post 788, which will conduct the military rites.
Merle was a dad and grandpa to many. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking.
A memorial fund has been established in Merle's memory.
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