Merlin B. Woodley, 89, of Akron, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the Akron Care Center. A Memorial Service was held September 27, 2004 at the First Baptist Church in Akron. Pastor Damon Green officiated.
Merlin Burdette Woodley was born on April 30, 1915, the son of Fannie and David Woodley. He was one of four boys and seven girls. Merlin was raised and educated near Merrill. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was stationed with the Alaska Aleutian Islands Surveillance Unit and later was selected as one of President Franklin Roosevelt's Security Guards at his home in Hyde Park, NY.
Following the war Merlin moved to Akron where he met Helen Anderson. The couple was united in marriage in 1947. Merlin was employed as a carpenter with his father-in-law Victor Anderson, a well-known professional in the Akron and rural South Dakota region.
In 1950, Merlin was appointed the general manager of the Farmers Coop of Akron after working for a time in the Coop Lumber Department. The Coop grain, feed and building supply business grew nicely and the giant grain elevator that towers over Akron (initiated by Merlin) was constructed under his management. He also arranged for the giant star on the top that welcomes you into Akron. His success as Farmers Coop manager (over 12 years) was especially noteworthy since he had little formal education or prior management experience. Merlin was able to rapidly learn the grain and lumber business. He acknowledged that his wife Helen (the Coop bookkeeper) was very important to his learning and success in the Coop business.
In 1962, Merlin and Helen moved from Akron and he completed his full-time working career with Grand Avenue Lumber and Supply in Phoenix, AZ where he retired. Merlin and Helen returned to Akron in 2001.
One of Merlin's special talents and most enjoyable activities throughout his life was designing and crafting fine furniture. His knack, and skills were truly unique. Many of his crafted pieces are treasured in the family's homes.
Merlin is lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Helen Viola (Anderson) Woodley of Akron; a daughter, Patsy Bedes and her husband Ken of San Pedro, CA; a son, Jerome Adams and his wife Peggy of Kirkwood, MO; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverly Livinggood and Joyce Lanagan both of Sioux City; and a brother Chester "Chick" Anderson of North Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
[Source: Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, September 30, 2004; Volume 117, Number 40, Page 5]
Merlin Burdette Woodley was born on April 30, 1915, the son of Fannie and David Woodley. He was one of four boys and seven girls. Merlin was raised and educated near Merrill. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was stationed with the Alaska Aleutian Islands Surveillance Unit and later was selected as one of President Franklin Roosevelt's Security Guards at his home in Hyde Park, NY.
Following the war Merlin moved to Akron where he met Helen Anderson. The couple was united in marriage in 1947. Merlin was employed as a carpenter with his father-in-law Victor Anderson, a well-known professional in the Akron and rural South Dakota region.
In 1950, Merlin was appointed the general manager of the Farmers Coop of Akron after working for a time in the Coop Lumber Department. The Coop grain, feed and building supply business grew nicely and the giant grain elevator that towers over Akron (initiated by Merlin) was constructed under his management. He also arranged for the giant star on the top that welcomes you into Akron. His success as Farmers Coop manager (over 12 years) was especially noteworthy since he had little formal education or prior management experience. Merlin was able to rapidly learn the grain and lumber business. He acknowledged that his wife Helen (the Coop bookkeeper) was very important to his learning and success in the Coop business.
In 1962, Merlin and Helen moved from Akron and he completed his full-time working career with Grand Avenue Lumber and Supply in Phoenix, AZ where he retired. Merlin and Helen returned to Akron in 2001.
One of Merlin's special talents and most enjoyable activities throughout his life was designing and crafting fine furniture. His knack, and skills were truly unique. Many of his crafted pieces are treasured in the family's homes.
Merlin is lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Helen Viola (Anderson) Woodley of Akron; a daughter, Patsy Bedes and her husband Ken of San Pedro, CA; a son, Jerome Adams and his wife Peggy of Kirkwood, MO; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverly Livinggood and Joyce Lanagan both of Sioux City; and a brother Chester "Chick" Anderson of North Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
[Source: Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, September 30, 2004; Volume 117, Number 40, Page 5]
Merlin B. Woodley, 89, of Akron, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the Akron Care Center. A Memorial Service was held September 27, 2004 at the First Baptist Church in Akron. Pastor Damon Green officiated.
Merlin Burdette Woodley was born on April 30, 1915, the son of Fannie and David Woodley. He was one of four boys and seven girls. Merlin was raised and educated near Merrill. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was stationed with the Alaska Aleutian Islands Surveillance Unit and later was selected as one of President Franklin Roosevelt's Security Guards at his home in Hyde Park, NY.
Following the war Merlin moved to Akron where he met Helen Anderson. The couple was united in marriage in 1947. Merlin was employed as a carpenter with his father-in-law Victor Anderson, a well-known professional in the Akron and rural South Dakota region.
In 1950, Merlin was appointed the general manager of the Farmers Coop of Akron after working for a time in the Coop Lumber Department. The Coop grain, feed and building supply business grew nicely and the giant grain elevator that towers over Akron (initiated by Merlin) was constructed under his management. He also arranged for the giant star on the top that welcomes you into Akron. His success as Farmers Coop manager (over 12 years) was especially noteworthy since he had little formal education or prior management experience. Merlin was able to rapidly learn the grain and lumber business. He acknowledged that his wife Helen (the Coop bookkeeper) was very important to his learning and success in the Coop business.
In 1962, Merlin and Helen moved from Akron and he completed his full-time working career with Grand Avenue Lumber and Supply in Phoenix, AZ where he retired. Merlin and Helen returned to Akron in 2001.
One of Merlin's special talents and most enjoyable activities throughout his life was designing and crafting fine furniture. His knack, and skills were truly unique. Many of his crafted pieces are treasured in the family's homes.
Merlin is lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Helen Viola (Anderson) Woodley of Akron; a daughter, Patsy Bedes and her husband Ken of San Pedro, CA; a son, Jerome Adams and his wife Peggy of Kirkwood, MO; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverly Livinggood and Joyce Lanagan both of Sioux City; and a brother Chester "Chick" Anderson of North Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
[Source: Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, September 30, 2004; Volume 117, Number 40, Page 5]
Merlin Burdette Woodley was born on April 30, 1915, the son of Fannie and David Woodley. He was one of four boys and seven girls. Merlin was raised and educated near Merrill. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was stationed with the Alaska Aleutian Islands Surveillance Unit and later was selected as one of President Franklin Roosevelt's Security Guards at his home in Hyde Park, NY.
Following the war Merlin moved to Akron where he met Helen Anderson. The couple was united in marriage in 1947. Merlin was employed as a carpenter with his father-in-law Victor Anderson, a well-known professional in the Akron and rural South Dakota region.
In 1950, Merlin was appointed the general manager of the Farmers Coop of Akron after working for a time in the Coop Lumber Department. The Coop grain, feed and building supply business grew nicely and the giant grain elevator that towers over Akron (initiated by Merlin) was constructed under his management. He also arranged for the giant star on the top that welcomes you into Akron. His success as Farmers Coop manager (over 12 years) was especially noteworthy since he had little formal education or prior management experience. Merlin was able to rapidly learn the grain and lumber business. He acknowledged that his wife Helen (the Coop bookkeeper) was very important to his learning and success in the Coop business.
In 1962, Merlin and Helen moved from Akron and he completed his full-time working career with Grand Avenue Lumber and Supply in Phoenix, AZ where he retired. Merlin and Helen returned to Akron in 2001.
One of Merlin's special talents and most enjoyable activities throughout his life was designing and crafting fine furniture. His knack, and skills were truly unique. Many of his crafted pieces are treasured in the family's homes.
Merlin is lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Helen Viola (Anderson) Woodley of Akron; a daughter, Patsy Bedes and her husband Ken of San Pedro, CA; a son, Jerome Adams and his wife Peggy of Kirkwood, MO; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverly Livinggood and Joyce Lanagan both of Sioux City; and a brother Chester "Chick" Anderson of North Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
[Source: Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, September 30, 2004; Volume 117, Number 40, Page 5]
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