Thomas Earl Merrell

Thomas E. Merrell, 91, of Fort Worth, TX, formerly of Mt. Pleasant and Davenport, IA, died Friday, August 26, 2016. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. A memorial service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jeff McPheron of the Trenton United Methodist Church officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Henry County Honor Guard. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Born January 11, 1925 in Sterling City, TX, Thomas Earl was the son of Albert Lee and Tennie Cee Johnson Merrell. He spent his formative years and attended schools in Sterling City and Water Valley, TX. One of the highlights of growing up in Water Valley was his winning a trip to Chicago for the National 4-H Convention as result of having a champion sheep in his 4-H Club. During World War II, Thomas served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Italy and North Africa. He met his future wife while attending Flight School at Iowa Wesleyan College. Upon returning from his military service, he married Mary Cecilia Smith on June 30, 1945 in Mt. Pleasant. The couple continued in marriage for 65 years, until her passing in 2010. Thomas was a butcher for over 30 years at various grocery stores in TX, OK, and IA. During retirement he and Cecilia were the owners of Lampsmith Antiques in Davenport, IA. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Davenport, the DAV Club, the Outing Club and the VFW. Survivors include his son, Gene (Mindy) Merrell in Fort Worth, TX; a daughter, Nelda Wing in Wichita, KS; three grandchildren, Gretchen (Duane) Underhill in Olathe, KS, Kelli (Jeff) Couey in Wichita, KS and Steve (Shana) Wing in Derby, KS; and six grandchildren, Kayla and Kendra Underhill, Cecilia and Madison Couey, Saige and Shelby Nettleton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Cecilia; a daughter, Cecilia Ann; and a grandson, Jeff Merrell. Cemetery Details Forest Home Cemetery South Walnut Street Mt. Pleasant, IA, 52641 Visitation SEP 10. 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel 709 Mapleleaf Drive Mt Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 olsonpowell@lisco.com Memorial Service SEP 10. 10:30 AM Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel 709 Mapleleaf Drive Mt Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 olsonpowell@lisco.com