Merle Odean Harkness
February 25, 1925 — August 1, 2010
Merle Odean Harkness, 85, of Central City, died Sunday, August 1, 2010 at his home. Services: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 5, 2010, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 4 – 6 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2010, at the funeral home in Marion. Burial: Mt. Clark Cemetery, Central City, Iowa.
Survivors include his wife, Ethel; children Craig (Susan) Harkness of Central City; Jody (Karen) Harkness of Appleton, Wisconsin; Brian Harkness of Central City and Ruth Anne (Charles) Rahe of Boulder, Colorado; sisters Rose Marie (Jim) Grosser, and Nancy (Melvin) Macal.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Gary; and his brother, Bob.
Merle was born February 25, 1925, the son of Claude and Josie (McCallson) Harkness, in Mable, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Airforce on February 6, 1946, having served his country for 7 years, and then married Ethel Sylling on March 20, 1948, in Spring Grove, Minnesota. Merle moved to the Cedar Rapids area in 1956, where he worked for Standard Appliance as a t.v. tech; Collins Radio; and later, Sears. He enjoyed woodworking in his shop. Merle enjoyed his family and he especially enjoyed Josie, who made him smile even when he was not feeling well.
Memorials may be directed to St. Luke’s Hospice, 290 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, in Merle’s memory.
Please sign the online guest book for Merle at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Survivors include his wife, Ethel; children Craig (Susan) Harkness of Central City; Jody (Karen) Harkness of Appleton, Wisconsin; Brian Harkness of Central City and Ruth Anne (Charles) Rahe of Boulder, Colorado; sisters Rose Marie (Jim) Grosser, and Nancy (Melvin) Macal.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Gary; and his brother, Bob.
Merle was born February 25, 1925, the son of Claude and Josie (McCallson) Harkness, in Mable, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Airforce on February 6, 1946, having served his country for 7 years, and then married Ethel Sylling on March 20, 1948, in Spring Grove, Minnesota. Merle moved to the Cedar Rapids area in 1956, where he worked for Standard Appliance as a t.v. tech; Collins Radio; and later, Sears. He enjoyed woodworking in his shop. Merle enjoyed his family and he especially enjoyed Josie, who made him smile even when he was not feeling well.
Memorials may be directed to St. Luke’s Hospice, 290 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, in Merle’s memory.
Please sign the online guest book for Merle at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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