Merle S. Rowles

Services were held for Merle S. Rowles, age 85, of Carmel, Indiana, on March 18, 2004 at the Union Memorial Church in Milford, Iowa, with Rev. Kate Lambertson and Father Brook officiating. The music was provided by Gerry Sternberg, organist, and Wendell Williams, soloist. Pallbearers were Richard Kramer, Al Bowles, David Stein, Virgil Wahlman and John Shaw.

Merle Smittle Rowles was born July 31, 1918, at the family farm near Grand Junction, Iowa, to Craig T. and Bessie E. Rowles. He passed away March 13, 2004, at Sunrise of Carmel nursing facility in Carmel, Indiana.

He grew to manhood in Greene County, Iowa, where he received his education, graduating from Grand Junction High School in May 1936. He continued his education at Iowa State University, graduating in June 1941, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education. At Iowa State he was active in Alpha Gamma Rho social fraternity, was on the Viesha steering committee in his senior year, and served as president of the agriculture student body his senior year.

Merle enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was called to duty in February, 1942 at Quantico, Virginia. On May 23, 1942, he was united in marriage to Saramae Hendershott at Chevy Chase, Maryland. After receiving his Second Lieutenant commission in the Marine Corps, he stayed at Quantico for two years, serving as a heavy weapons instructor. He later served as Captain and commanding officer of the Marine detachment on the USS Brooklyn in the Mediterranean and on the USS South Dakota during the initial occupation of Japan in World War II.

After World War II, Merle and Saramae returned to Grand Junction, Iowa, where Merle was a partner in T. R. Watts and Son Insurance and Farm Management. In 1950 they moved to Everly, Iowa, where he purchased his own insurance and farm management business. He sold that business in 1961 and became a general agent with Life Investors Insurance Company. In 1969 he began working as a salesman for Honeybee Company, Inc., in Everly, and later became president and manager of the company. In 1972, Merle and Saramae moved to their summer home on West Lake Okoboji. Merle retired in 1981, but continued to work part-time in many endeavors. The couple moved to the Highlands in Spencer, Iowa, in 1992. Saramae passed away December 21, 1995. In 1996, Merle moved to Carmel, Indiana, to live with his daughter.

Merle was very active over the years in many civic organizations. He served 10 years on the Everly School Board and was a member of the Everly Commercial Club for many years. He particularly enjoyed announcing football and basketball games at Everly High School over the years and was affectionately known as ‘old gravel voice’. He served in numerous positions at Spencer United Methodist Church and Union Memorial Church in Milford. He was a council member for the lakeside village of Wahpeton, and was very active in the Milford Kiwanis Club. During his retirement, Merle enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and fishing.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Saramae, his parents, and his brother-in-law, James D. Parr. He is survived by his three daughters, A. Camille Elliott and her husband, J. D., of Greenwood, Indiana, Dr. Connie J. Rowles of Carmel, Indiana, and Janice K. Smith of Fishers, Indiana; five grandchildren, Neil and his wife Ruth Kenny of Atlanta, Georgia, Laura Kenny of Indianapolis, Indiana, Aaron and his wife Tina Smith of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Sarah and her husband Bill Heckathorn of Omaha, Nebraska, and Abigail Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana; one great-grandchild, Molly Heckathorn; three brothers, John and his wife June Rowles of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Warren and his wife Marilyn Rowles, and James and his wife Joanne Rowles, all of Grand Junction, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Herma M. Parr of Jefferson, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, 502 Water Street, Box 379, Decorah, IA 52101, to fund scholarships for children to attend art classes.