Eugene Orville Merrill

February 28, 1935 - May 10, 2022

Eugene Orville Merrill February 28, 1935 – May 10, 2022 Eugene Orville Merrill, 87, of Boone, Iowa, was called home to his heavenly father surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. He was born on February 28, 1935, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Hilda Hittle Merrill and Henry Ernest Merrill. At 15 years old, he came to Boone to live with Art and Martha Buechler on their farm and became a brother to Barb Fosdick, Mary Page, and Mark Buechler. On April 21, 1957, he married Ruth Ann Heaps at Nazarene Church in Boone. He graduated from Boone High School in 1953. Eugene was a member of the First Baptist Church of Boone. He was a Korean War Veteran and served in the Iowa National Guard until his retirement. Eugene loved to play golf, bowl, and spend time with family and friends. He coached baseball, and softball and played fast and slow-pitch softball for many years. He was an employee of Firestone tire in Des Moines until retiring after 32 years. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Harold and Donald Merrill; three sisters: Minnie Kinsey, Betty Hanawald, and Darlene Peterson, and his in-laws, Thomas and Rosa Heaps. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Merrill; sons: Ray Merrill and Jimmy Merrill; daughters: Cindy (Dennis) Byerly and Lori (Tim) Mitchell; grandchildren: Travis Merrill, Jim Merrill, Ryan Byerly, Bryce Byerly, and Brenna Byerly, Michael Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, and Danielle Mitchell; six great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Addisyn, Elston, Ivan, Ryker, and Liam; and honorary family Don and Melissa Varner and their children, Michael and Dillion. Memorial services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Boone on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Janell Bloem officiating. Visitation with the family present will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Private family interment with full Military Honors will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Boone. Online condolences can be left at www.schroederfuneral.com Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 515-432-4550