Merlin Dean Stanton

Sibley, IA 

     Merlin D. Stanton age 82 of Sibley, IA died December 12, 2019 at Country View Manor in Sibley, IA.

     A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 14^th at the United Methodist Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Steve Swenson officiating.

     Burial will follow at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, with military honors by the Army Honor Guard, George E. Mudge American Legion Post No. 324 & William F. Allard VFW Post No. 7373.

     Visitation will be Friday, December 13^th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

   Merlin Dean Stanton was born April 24, 1937 in rural Osceola County, Iowa, the son of Lloyd and Anna Mae (Holle) Stanton. He was raised in Sibley and attended and graduated from Sibley Community Schools. He then entered the U.S. Army on August 28, 1956. He received his honorable discharge on August 16, 1958 and returned to Sibley.

     Merlin was united in marriage to Mary Ann Plum on July 27, 1959 in Worthington, MN. Together they made their home in Sibley and were blessed with five children. Merlin worked various places in the area, Osceola County Creamery, Mathers Decorating, Tri-State Neon, Bernie’s Gas Company, was manager for Thermo Gas in Sibley and Hartley, before establishing Sibley Sheet Metal in 1985. He retired in 1999 and turned over the business to his two sons.

     He was a member of United Methodist Church in Sibley, the Sibley American Legion and VFW, the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. He served on the Country View Manor Board of Directors, Sibley Airport Commission, Osceola County Color Guard and past Commander of the VFW. Merlin enjoyed flying planes, restoring his own plane and was a private pilot. He loved animals, especially horses and dogs. He was blessed with many annual fishing trips to Canada and frequent trips to Lake Okoboji and liked going to the Casino. On November 12, 2019, Merlin entered the Country View Manor and remained there until his death, this past Thursday, December 12, 2019.

     He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann Stanton of Sibley, IA; five children, Kayleen (Gary Greenfield) Stanton of Sibley, IA, Kimberly (Randy) Johns of Roland, IA, Karla (Pete) Clauson, Rick (Alisa) Stanton and Rob (Sharri) Stanton, all of Sibley, IA; nine grandchildren, Kelly Johns, Kara Johns, Steven Ackerman, Terry (Chrissy)Ackerman, Lindsey (Travis) Mook, Tucker (Tasha) Boone, Zak Stanton, Shelby Stanton (Marshall Eddy) and Gavin Stanton; eight great-grandchildren, Alontae Johns, Zamauri Johns, Janelle Ackerman, Kaleb Ackerman, Zoe Ackerman, Jaeger Ackerman, Robert Mook and Lexi Mook; sister, Marlys Marco of Spirit Lake, IA; and many nieces nephews and other extended family.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Anna Mae Stanton; grandson, Jacob “Jake” Stratmeier; two sisters, infant Konie Stanton and Linda Petersen.

“MERLE HAS GONE FLYING!”