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Dr. Merle Lockwood

Dr. Merle Lockwood, 87, of Charles City, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Cedar Health in Charles City surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service for Dr. Merle Lockwood will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2016 at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City with Pastor Bill Odermann officiating. Inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 27 at Hauser Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the memorial service at the church on Monday.

Dr. Merle Percy Lockwood, the son of Percy and Sophie (Koester) Lockwood, was born Jan. 10, 1929 in Sioux City. He received his education in Allen, Neb., graduating from Allen High School. Merle then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for his pre-veterinary courses. On Feb. 25, 1951, Merle was united in marriage to Helen Johnson in Laurel, Neb. He proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge. Merle and Helen moved to Ames, where he was a student at Iowa State University majoring in Veterinary Medicine and graduating in 1959. Merle opened his own veterinary practice in Winfield for six years before starting Skyline Harvestore in Charles City with a partner. He was part owner of this company for almost twenty years before taking a positon as the Attending Veterinarian at Solvay Animal Health, retiring at the age of 65. In his retirement, Merle became a Master Forester who managed a 260 acre tree farm in Allamakee County. He planted over 150,000 trees while managing the tree farm.

Merle was a member of Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Legion, Elks Lodge, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Iowa State Alumni Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. He was an active outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and garden (sharing his produce and game with anyone he could). Merle was an avid reader of the American West, a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan (sticking with them even through the darkest years) and loved to play cards. He played semi-pro baseball and attended spring training for the New York Giants in Sarasota, Fla. Merle and Helen volunteered their time in Arizona with both the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners raising money for underprivileged children to attend baseball camps around the area. He will be remembered for many things especially love he had for his family and his sense of humor.

Living family members include his wife of 65 years, Helen of Charles City; three children: Jan (Anthony) Luttrell of Ames, Jill Brugger of Houston, Texas and Jeff (Lora) Lockwood of Bettendorf; seven grandchildren: Matt (Jill) Heeren, Michelle (Jason) Bahnsen, Johanna Luttrell, Bethany Hopkins, Christina Brugger, Melissa Lockwood and Dylana Lockwood; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers: Martin (Norma) Lockwood of Wells, Nevada and Milton Lockwood of Kearney, Neb.; along with nieces, nephews, other family members and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Floyd County Izaak Walton League.

Hauser Funeral Home, 641-228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

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Dr. Merle Lockwood

 

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