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Merle Leonard Aldrich
February 28, 1926–May 15, 2012
Merle Aldrich, age 86, died Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the V. A. Medical Center, Iowa City following a brief illness.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 Monday morning, May 21, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello. Rev. Al. Polito officiated at the services. Friends called from 5 until 7 Sunday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.
Surviving are three children, Kris Read, Monticello, Kevin (Sharon) Aldrich and Kit (Mary Jo) Aldrich both of Everett, Washington, a daughter-in-law, Cathy Aldrich of Grand Junction, Iowa, eight grandchildren, Jennifer Tipton and her children, Zachary and Jonathan, Jennifer Aldrich, Margaret (Gary Kunkel) Aldrich and her children, Abraham and Asher, James "J.D." Read and his children, Braydon and Maison, Drew Read, Bryant Aldrich, Tanner Aldrich, Kaitlyn Aldrich, a brother, Edward Aldrich of Lucerne Valley, California, and a sister, Dorothy Howell, Mill Creek, Washington, two sisters-in-law, Eunice Allen, Monticello and Georgia Kuhns, Marion, Mary Lou Aldrich, Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Greta in 2010, a son, Gene, a son-in-law, Daniel Read, two brothers, Howard and Kenneth "Bing" and his sister Theona Barnes Barkley.
Merle Leonard Aldrich was born February 28, 1926 on a farm south of Anamosa. He was the son of Frederick R. and Ethel A. Kuhnzweiler. Merle received his education in the Monticello Community Schools. He was drafted into the United States Army during WWII between his Junior and Senior Years. Merle served in the American Combat Unit in the South Pacific. Following his return from military duty he returned to high school and graduated with the class of 1947. Merle went to work for Leigh Clark at his garage and later for Peele Hearn.
Merle Aldrich and Greta Kuhns were married October 3, 1947 at the Wayne Zion Lutheran church. The couple lived in Monticello and Merle worked at Hearn Shell and at Miller Implement until 1960 when they moved to Wyoming. Merle operated Merle's Garage in Wyoming. He later worked at the Midland Schools as a mechanic in charge of bus maintenance. Merle and Don Buckholtz operated a business rebuilding and repairing semi tractors until he retired. The couple returned to Monticello in 1990.
Merle was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He had served on the Monticello and Wyoming Fire Departments, and the Wyoming Lions Club. He was a founding member of Little Bear Country Club, Wyoming.

Submitted by: Janet A. Brandt
Source: Midland Times, Wyoming, Iowa, 25 May 2012

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