Merle Gene Adkisson, 85, of Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away at 3:04 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Born on March 20, 1937, in Donnellson, Iowa, the son of Claude W. and Maude M. (Bargar) Adkisson. On September 15, 1957, at Big Mound Methodist Church in Hillsboro, Iowa, he married Marilyn Logan.
Survivors include his wife; three children: Jeff (Juan Bravo) Adkisson of Stockport, New York, Suzanne (Bill) Rice of Bonaparte, Iowa, Tim Adkisson; grandchildren: Jenna (Scott Smith) Rice, Sam and Olivia Adkisson, Jonah and Elizabeth (Lundberg) Adkisson, Brianna Rice, Max Adkisson, Lex Adkisson and Jax Adkisson; great granddaughter: Luna Adkisson; sisters: Janet Mills of Mount Pleasant, Iowa and Dolores (Steve) Benner of Montrose, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister in infancy: Nancy Ann; brother in-law: Jerry Mills.
Merle was a member of the Sharon Presbyterian Church and George Washington A.F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge #618 . He served on the Mid Lee County Council of Churches, CROP Walk committee and the Donnellson and Bonaparte COOP Board for twelve years. He was a 1954 graduate of Donnellson High School. During the summer and fall of 1961, he helped build the Harmony High School. Merle farmed for thirty years near Donnellson, drove a school bus for Donnellson and worked for twenty five years for Sharkey Transportation. Following his retirement from truck driving, he drove the Amish. Merle enjoyed turkey and deer hunting, his grandchildren and one great grandchild, especially watching them play ball.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
Masonic rites by the George Washington A.F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge #618 will be presented at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the Sharon Presbyterian Church in rural Farmington, with funeral services to follow with Pastor Katrina Bergman officiating.
Burial will be in Sharon Church Cemetery.
A memorial has been for the Donnellson Public Library or Bonaparte Public Library.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.