Obituary of Merle Charles Kreager

Funeral services for Merle will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation will be held at the church, one hour prior to the services. As an expression of sympathy, memorials in Merle's name are being designated to the First Presbyterian Church. Merle Charles Kreager, 91, the son of William and Glen (Gates) Kreager, was born January 4, 1919 in Newton, Iowa. He was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1937. Merle farmed NE of Newton, was a dairy farmer, moving into Newton in 1987. He was also employed by the Newton Livestock Sales Company. On March 4, 1942, Merle was united in marriage with Helen Gardner in Newton. He devoted his life to his family, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newton, BPOE Elks Club #1270, served on the Kellogg Farmers Coop Elevator Board for 12 years, was past Newton Township Clerk, Marshall County Dealers Coop Trucking Board for 10 years and on several A.S.C.S. Committees. He enjoyed watching TV and playing cribbage. He and Helen enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, the last 20 years. Merle died on Friday morning, May 28, 2010, in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Irene and a brother Max. Those left to honor Merle's memory include his wife of 68 years, Helen; his son Michael (Priscilla) Kreager of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; his daughter Willa (Steve) Tomlin of Newton; his three grandchildren: Laura Illingworth of Raleigh, NC, Michelle (Don) Lewis of Ft. Wayne and Brad (Jo) Kreager, also of Ft. Wayne; a step grandson Christopher Tomlin; four great-grandchildren: Kyle Lewis, Meghan Kreager, Logan Kreager and Broden Kreager; and his many good friends. Calling hours will be Tuesday, One hour prior to services at the First Presbyterian Church, 220 N. 2nd Avenue E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:30 at First Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Tiare Mathison officiating. Burial will be in Newton Union Cemetery, in Newton.