Delbert "Del" Allen Merritt, 69

Washington County native Delbert "Del" Allen Merritt, 69, of Gering, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at his home with his family at his side.

Funeral services were Monday, Feb 10, at Gering First United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Rowe officiating.

A family gravesite service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Allen Family Cemetery in Blair, followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service at the Blair First United Methodist Church.

Delbert Allen Merritt was born Sept. 24, 1933, in DeSoto to Charles and Gertrude (Allen) Merritt. He was a graduate of Valley High School, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Alpha Zeta honorary fraternity, Block and Bridle Club, and the University 4-H team.

He was a member of the Senior Livestock, Meats, and Dairy Products Teams while in college. This interest continued, as Mr. Merritt served as a livestock and registered quarter horse judge for many years.

He was a commissioned officer through ROTC, and was a member of the Gering United Methodist Church.

In 1956 he was married and the couple lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., Estherville, Iowa, and Worthington, Minn., before moving to Gering in 1972. He was a cattle buyer for Iowa Beef Processors for 30 years before becoming manager and part owner of Minatare Feed lot.

He bred, raised and showed quarter horses and Maine Anjou show cattle. Because of his strong 4-H background, he instilled that interest in his children, grandchildren and other youth.

He is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter, as well eight grandchildren and two sisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Charlotte.

~Pilot Tribune, Blair, Nebraska, February 14, 2003

Delbert "Del" Allen Merritt, 69

Washington County native Delbert "Del" Allen Merritt, 69, of Gering, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at his home with his family at his side.

Funeral services were Monday, Feb 10, at Gering First United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Rowe officiating.

A family gravesite service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Allen Family Cemetery in Blair, followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service at the Blair First United Methodist Church.

Delbert Allen Merritt was born Sept. 24, 1933, in DeSoto to Charles and Gertrude (Allen) Merritt. He was a graduate of Valley High School, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Alpha Zeta honorary fraternity, Block and Bridle Club, and the University 4-H team.

He was a member of the Senior Livestock, Meats, and Dairy Products Teams while in college. This interest continued, as Mr. Merritt served as a livestock and registered quarter horse judge for many years.

He was a commissioned officer through ROTC, and was a member of the Gering United Methodist Church.

In 1956 he was married and the couple lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., Estherville, Iowa, and Worthington, Minn., before moving to Gering in 1972. He was a cattle buyer for Iowa Beef Processors for 30 years before becoming manager and part owner of Minatare Feed lot.

He bred, raised and showed quarter horses and Maine Anjou show cattle. Because of his strong 4-H background, he instilled that interest in his children, grandchildren and other youth.

He is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter, as well eight grandchildren and two sisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Charlotte.

~Pilot Tribune, Blair, Nebraska, February 14, 2003