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Date of Death: December 2, 2004 Services for Merle Ferguson, 85, of Jefferson, will be 10:30am Tuesday December 7th at Central Christian Church in Jefferson Interment will be at the Jefferson Cemetery. Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson after 9:00am Monday. The family will be present at the funeral home to greet friends between 6:00 – 8:00pm Monday.
Merle D. Ferguson, son of Carrie L. Grivey Ferguson and Alvah Mont Ferguson, was born in Dana, Iowa on October 24, 1919. Merle was raised in the Dana area and graduated from Dana High School in 1939. In February 1942, Merle enlisted in the United States Army and served honorably during World War II in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre. In 1946, Merle married Norma Woodhouse, a wife he would love and serve for 58 years. Merle and Norma settled in Jefferson where they raised their three children: Ron, Dick and Nancy. Merle was a long-time member of Central Iowa’s agribusiness community, and was an award-winning salesman with Walnut Grove for more than 35 years—an occupation he considered more of an honor and a hobby, than a job. Merle especially enjoyed visiting with his customers and their families, whom he thought of as friends rather than clients. For close to a half a century, Merle was a dedicated servant with the Jefferson Fire Department, serving most of those years as an elected officer. In addition, he was a charter member of the Elks Lodge, a Mason, and a member of both the V.F.W. and the American Legion. An active citizen in the Jefferson community, Merle served as a volunteer in may civic and social organizations. Every Memorial Day, Merle would assist with setting up the Avenue of Flags at the Jefferson Cemetery; and for more than a decade, Merle helped deliver meals for Jefferson’s Meals on Wheels program. Merle was also a member of Jefferson’s Central Christian Church for more than 50 years. He served as a deacon, and on many church committees and organizations. Merle Ferguson passed away December 2, 2004 at the Greene County Medical Center. He was 85 years of age. Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters: Lula Marie Hayes and Elva Doosenberry, and a brother, Dean A. Ferguson. Survivors include his wife, Norma, of Jefferson; two sons: Ron Ferguson and his wife Dru of Amarillo, TX; and Dick Ferguson and his wife Klarice of Jamaica, IA; a daughter, Nancy Winger and her husband Tom of Jefferson, IA; two brothers: Donald Ferguson of Gowrie, IA and Eugene Ferguson of Loveland, CO; a sister Viola Miller of Abbottsford, WI; 8 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Merle took great delight in being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They, in turn, have loved and appreciated him. Each family member will, forever, carry Merle in their hearts.
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