Sarah,
We are so sorry for your loss. I know you were hoping to have him for Christmas and I'm so glad you did. I know it's hard to say good-bye. Try to remember all the wonderful memories are a gift that in time will comfort, the hurt is because you loved him so much which means you have a caring heart and his love you'll always have. He'll forever be a part of you.
The Herkelman Family
January 2, 2015
My condolences to the Merfeld family. By all accounts, sounds like Jay had a good life; full of family and friends that loved him. We loved him too. It occurs to me that if I had asked the 17year old “Buzz” what I should write about him after he dies, he would’ve said: "What makes you think I'm going first" and then (without much of a pause), “I don’t care what you write, Kidd.” True to form: dry humor, honest, blunt, without any pretense...the original "stand-up guy".
God bless, Buzz, rest in peace.
–Tom Wessendorf
Tom Wessendorf
January 2, 2015
It is with sincere sorrow that I learned of the passing of Jay. It has been quite a while since I have seen him at the Stewart Family reunions but I remember him well. He was a rather quiet and unassuming person with an outstanding personality. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and know he will be missed, but, I know his Mother will be waiting for him. He was so blessed and I know God was at his side through all his illness. So long, Jay, you are HOME. Love, Cousin Phyllis
Phyllis Hemmingson Pfitzenmaier
January 1, 2015
James,
I worked with you at HyVee when you were in H.S. and you worked on my computer. I'm so sorry to have since this on facebook. May God comfort you and your family at this difficult time.
Shelly Spurbeck
January 1, 2015
Christy James and Allie,
My condolences on Jay's passing. He fought the good fight and never complained. He is a great role model for all of us in how to face adversity with dignity. His love of hunting and his dedication to his family are reminders to us all of how to live life - focusing on what is most important. We will miss Jay but remember him for the good man he is.
Dave Verhille
Dave Verhille
January 1, 2015
Dear Merfelds, My deepest condolences on the loss of your brother, father, husband, and son. "Buzz" was a good friend for many years. I can't improve on the message left by fellow divot Mark Kreger. Please know that Jay will be sorely missed. I will be thinking of him often. I remember the days we spent playing in our old Cedar Falls neighborhood. Mark has a picture of the divots celebrating graduation in 1975. Even in the pain of this loss the good memories bring a smile. You will be in our prayers.
Jack Ratekin
January 1, 2015
Christy James and Allie,
My condolences on Jay's passing. He fought the good fight and never complained. He is a great role model for all of us in how to face adversity with dignity. His love of hunting and his dedication to his family are reminders to us all of how to live life - focusing on what is most important. We will miss Jay but remember him for the good man he is.
Dave Verhille
Dave Verhille
January 1, 2015
Christy, Sarah, James, Allie,
We are deeply saddend to hear about Jay. We know he has been a true fighter for quite sometime, Jay deeply loved his family, his dogs and hunting. Jay was a man that would tell you the way it was going to be and never backed down from a challenge . Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family during this time. Remember if you need anything at all during this time, you know you can call us anytime. Love and Prayers.
Craig and Vickie Clinton and Family
Vickie and Craig Clinton
December 31, 2014
Christy and family. Our deepest sympathies to you.. You will be in our prayers. Doug and Beth Scheer
doug and beth scheer
December 31, 2014
i am so sorry for your loss Merfeld family. I know Jay from CFHS. He was a fantastic guy and is joining my husband Greg in Heaven-- where they can pheasant hunt forever. God bless.
Lynn Janssen Van Brocklin
December 31, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the Merfeld family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jay (or Buzz as we called him in high school) was one of my best childhood friends. He and I, along with Tom Wessendorf, Jack Ratekin, Steve Peck, Jeff Young, and Steve Hutchison, were "the divots" - a moniker we gave ourselves to proudly proclaim what we saw as our misfit status.
Sadly, I lost touch with Jay many years ago, but I have countless memories of great times spent together from junior high through the time of our respective weddings. He was a very kind, thoughtful and unassuming guy, and a loyal friend - enviable traits that he obviously displayed throughout life.
Mark Kreger
Mark Kreger
December 31, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the Merfeld family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jay (or Buzz as we called him in high school) was one of my best childhood friends. He and I, along with Tom Wessendorf, Jack Ratekin, Steve Peck, Jeff Young, and Steve Hutchison, were "the divots" - a moniker we gave ourselves to proudly proclaim what we saw as our misfit status.
Sadly, I lost touch with Jay many years ago, but I have countless memories of great times spent together from junior high through the time of our respective weddings. He was a very kind, thoughtful and unassuming guy, and a loyal friend - enviable traits that he obviously displayed throughout life.
Mark Kreger
Mark Kreger
December 31, 2014
My deepest sympathy goes out to the whole Merfeld family on the loss of Jay. He was always kind and had a big heart. We went to school from Junior high through High School . He will be greatly missed by myself and the whole Cedar Falls High School class of 1975. Rest in peace Jay.
Christie Kruse Jungweber
December 31, 2014
I love you Dad!
Sarah Shriver
December 30, 2014
Christy, Sarah, James and Allie.
We are so sorry for your loss. You all will be in my thoughts.
Jamie Jones
jamie jones
December 30, 2014
I love you Jay
Christy merfeld
December 30, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family, Christy, during this time of immense loss. Know that his suffering is over and he has taken that next step in life of being with our Savior. Altho I hadn't seen him in years, I still remember our childhood years as cousins playing at Grandpa Folkerts, his home, or over at Dean and Kays in Brisow. He had such a gentle spirit...may he live in your hearts forever and we know that you will continue to see him in your children and grandchildren. Peace to his memory.
Linda and Lloyd Foster
December 30, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family, Christy, during this time of immense loss. Know that his suffering is over and he has taken that next step in life of being with our Savior. Altho I hadn't seen him in years, I still remember our childhood years as cousins playing at Grandpa Folkerts, his home, or over at Dean and Kays in Brisow. He had such a gentle spirit...may he live in your hearts forever and we know that you will continue to see him in your children and grandchildren. Peace to his memory.
Linda and Lloyd Foster
December 30, 2014
We were so sorry to learn that Jay had passed away. We send condolences to all of the Merfeld family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Mel and Lynda Primmer
December 30, 2014
Sorry to say I did not know Jay, but it sounds like the apple did not fall far from the tree. I knew his father Skip for a number of years as I was a Chevrolet Dealer for 35 years. He was our service rep & might add the best one I ever had. He really cared. Condolences to the entire Merfeld Family. Please along to Skip.
Robert & KJ Clark
December 30, 2014
Dear Merfeld Family: It breaks our hearts when death separates us from the ones we love no matter how young or old they happen to be. We are reminded in the Bible that God sees our pain and sorrow and has promised that soon death will be done away with....swallowed up forever.(Isaiah 25:8) He will heal our broken hearts by resurrecting our precious loved ones to life again.(John 5:28,29) I hope in the days ahead as you reflect on the life of Jay, and the wonderful memories left behind, that you will also find much comfort in God's promises to us for the near future. I am so sorry for your loss.
Jo
December 30, 2014
It is very sad to hear of Jay's passing. I and Millennium Technology worked with Jay on many projects throughout the years. He was always cheerful and had tremendous integrity. We will certainly miss him.
Dave Johnson
December 30, 2014
Christy, Sarah, James & Ally.... Our family expresses their sympathy to you during this time of sorrow. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wayne & Jean Guler
December 30, 2014
Our prayers are with the whole Merfeld family. Jay was a great guy and truly will be missed. Hunting with Jay was always a great time.
Matt & Dawn Pint
December 30, 2014
Our sympathies to the entire Merfeld Family. Jay will be missed by everyone that knew him, may he rest in peace. Our prayers go out to family and friends as the mourn, remember and celebrate Jay's time here on earth.
Mike and Stacy Tharp
December 30, 2014
From all of us at Alvine Engineering our sincere sympathies to each of you. It has been our privilege to have worked with Jay on many projects but more than that to get to know him as a very fine person.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in this time of sorrow.
Nevin Suddarth
Nevin Suddarth
December 30, 2014
I'm so sorry to hear about Jay. I went to high school with Jay and did not know him well, but he was always unassuming and kind. A very gentle guy. Sincerely, Gayle Steinquist
Gayle Steinquist
December 30, 2014
There are no words to express my sorrow at Jay's passing. He was such a wonderful part of our family. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Christy, and your family.
Penny Beattie
December 29, 2014
We are so sorry to have to say goodbye to our good friend Jay...we will continue to cherish our fond memories of him and good times with him...we truly believe that he is with God and he is no longer suffering... May his family also find comfort in this.
John and Mary Jo McGrane
December 29, 2014
Our sympathies Christy to you and your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jay will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Dave and Shannon Meppelink
December 29, 2014
Christy, Sarah, James & Ally
Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. It sounded like Jay really put up a valiant fight during his illness. He is now at peace and in no more pain.
Gary & Sharon Knapp
December 29, 2014
We are sad to hear of Jay;s passing, he will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time. Jay can finally be at peace.
Paul and Jill Hartke
December 29, 2014