Charles "Chuck" E. Merritt

Charles E. Merritt, age 86, of Marengo, passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Compass Memorial Healthcare, Marengo. Funeral service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 21, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, Marengo, with Rev. Lisa Crow officiating. Family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m., until service time. Burial with Military Honors conducted by the Marengo American Legion Post #76 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard will be at the Marengo Cemetery, Marengo. Memorials may be contributed to First United Methodist Church, Marengo and Compass Memorial Healthcare, Marengo. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 62 years Jean of Marengo; his children Lee Ann (Allan) Mitchler of Elkhart Lake, WI., and Doug Merritt of Marengo; four grandchildren Allison Mitchler of Green Bay, WI., Kyra Merritt of Orlando, FL., Alexandra Mitchler of Milwaukee, WI., and Jenna Merritt of Cedar Rapids; a sister Mary Louise Hayden of Cedar Rapids. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Florence Merritt; three brothers Matthew “Keith”, Jim and Ronnie Merritt.

Charles Edwin Merritt was born September 9, 1935, at home in Marengo, the son of Benjamin and Florence Hawkins Merritt. He graduated from Marengo High School with the class of 1954 and later attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955, stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was united in marriage to Jean­­­ Harwell Merritt on June 13, 1959. Chuck began his career at the Marengo Post Office as a part time letter carrier and retired as a postmaster. Chuck was a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 60 years. He was a proud supporter of his community having served as past president and board member on the Compass Memorial Healthcare Board for over 27 years. He also volunteered many years for the Marengo Fire Department. Chuck loved the outdoors, especially fishing, pheasant hunting, and mushroom hunting. He loved cooking, woodworking, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed traveling with his family, and spending many years in Arizona during the Iowa winter months with his wife Jean, whom he cherished.

The family wishes to thank Compass Memorial Healthcare and Essence of Life Hospice for their compassionate care given to Chuck.