Merlin Kenneth Drees was born March 8, 1937, to Edward & Viola (Eischeid) Drees. He passed away June 28, 2009, at Exira, Iowa.

He was a 1955 graduate of Manning High School after which he moved to Exira where he was employed by Finnerty Oil Co. and also helped on the family farm.

He was a member of the National Guard for ten years.

He started his own construction company in 1992 which he continued until his health began to fail in 2006 and he was forced to cut back and eventually retire.

He was united in marriage to Betty Jean Hill on November 16, 1990. Through this union he gained another family who meant the world to him, as did his own.

Merlin was active in the community and was a ready volunteer for many projects. He put up a courageous fight against the cancer that would claim his life. He accepted his illness without complaint and was a hero to his loved ones.

He is survived by his wife Betty, special nieces and nephews Don & Mary Greving, Kurt and Keith Greving, Kaitlin (Travis) Anthofer and son Gavin, siblings Margene (Jerry) Rule, Lyle (Donna Dennis) Drees, Jan (Dick) Legg, Donna Faga, Larry (Connie) Drees, sisters-in-law Joanne Dunkerson, Rosemary Drees and Mary Ann Wulf, many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Edward, Dennis, and Arden and brothers-in-law David Faga and Pat Wulf.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Exira.

Memorial Mass: 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Exira with the Rev. Wayne Gubbels officiating. Inurnment will be held in the church cemetery.

Memorial Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at the Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Exira.

Online condolences may be left at www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.
The Cremation Society of Eastern Central Western Iowa is handling arrangements.