Merlin E. Peterson

GARNER – Merlin E. Peterson, 67, of Garner died Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 25th at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Merlin Eugene Peterson, the son of Roland and Clara Mae (Peterson) Peterson, was born October 3, 1947 in Belmond. He grew up and attended schools in Hanlontown, Lake Mills and Belmond where he graduated from high school in 1964. Merlin worked at the Britt Milk Plant before entering the U.S. Army. He served during Vietnam as an aviation tech until his honorable discharge from active duty in 1966. On March 20, 1970, Merlin married Marcia Litsey from Hampton, Virginia. They lived in Garner where Merlin was employed at IMT. In November of 1979, he moved to Pennsylvania where he worked at Tool Sales and then Crest Equipment as a drafter and purchasing agent. He returned to Garner in 1995, working for Crest and then American Crane until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, fishing, karaoke, tinkering on cars and lawn mowers and working on his lawn. He especially loved being a grandpa.

He was a member of the American Legion and was a founding member of the Open Arms Christian Ministry Church in Garner.

Merlin is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Keith) Hood of Garner and their four children, Elizabeth (boyfriend, Ross Monson) Katie, Paige, and Allison Rasmuson; son, Tait (Carrie) Peterson of Garner and their children, Matt Forry, Jessica Lang, Wendy Forry, Mitchell (Mikayla) Harms, Chelsea Harms, Dana Forry and Harley Forry; two step-children, Arthur William Palasthy of Virginia Beach, VA, and his children Gabby and Bianca Palasthy and Edward and Joanne Palasthy of Baton Rouge, LA, and their children Lisa, Sarah and Chris Palasthy; nine siblings, Karna Kane of Belmond, Shirley (Gene) Stenersen of Lake Mills, Sondra Peterson of Forest City, Melvin Peterson of Forest City, Delwyn (Jill) Peterson of Marseilles, IL, Dennis Peterson of Forest City, Duane Peterson of Forest City, Laura Peterson of Forest City and Leon Peterson of Forest City; sister-in-law, Lynn Peterson of Louisburg, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death his parents; and two brothers, Roland C. and Lauren Peterson.