Funeral Services for Merle Wilson, 86, of Jefferson will be 10:30 am Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, IA.  Internment will be in the Dawson Township Cemetery, Greene County, Iowa.  Visitation will be after 11:00 am Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Memorials are suggested to Iowa Hospice or the First United Methodist Church and may be left at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home.

Merle Emory Wilson, oldest of three children born to Alfred Wilson and Fern Lehman Wilson, was born August 5, 1923 on the family farm, now presently a Century Farm site.  Merle attended country school through the 8th grade, and graduated from Paton High School in 1941.  He was a member and attended the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Paton.  In his leisure time while growing up he skated with his cousins and friends.
           
Merle joined his father in farming shortly after graduating from high school.  He served in the Army National Guard from 1948 - 1952. 
           
On December 1, 1951 Merle and Nola Jean Clipperton were married at the Methodist Church in Churdan.  They established their home in rural Paton and became parents of three sons: Donald Merle, Steven Dale, and Jerry Dean.  Merle made sure his sons attended Sunday school, and showed 4-H livestock at the Greene County Fair.  With exception of two and a half years, Merle farmed 53 years in the Paton community.  His choice of cars was Chevrolet, and his choice of machinery was John Deere. 
           
Merle served in various church offices.  He served on the Greene County Extension Council and as a 4-H leader.  He was a member and served as president of the Paton Lions Club and currently was a member of the Jefferson Lions Club.
           
He retired from farming in 1994 and he and Nola moved to Jefferson.  They became members of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.  For several winters, Merle and Nola went to Mesa, Arizona.  He enjoyed shuffle board and was good at it.  As long as health permitted, Merle spent lots of time at the farm pitching in where ever needed.  He enjoyed morning coffee with the guys in town unless there was a job he could help with at the farm.
           
Merle Wilson passed away May 3, 2010 at the Greene County Medical Center.  He was 86 years of age.  Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Howard.
           
Surviving are his wife, Nola; three sons: Donald Wilson of Perry, IA; Steven (Janet) Wilson of Boone, IA; and Jerry (Mary) Wilson of Paton, IA; a sister, Janice (Lowell) Green of Manson, IA; sister-in-law, Joyce (Cecil) Hoyle of Churdan, IA; grandchildren: Matthew (Ro) Wilson of Ottumwa, IA; Cori (Michael) Smee of London, England; and Nathan Wilson and Justin Wilson, both of Boone, IA.  His grandchildren were his pride and joy.