Memorial

Merle W. McGrew, 91, of Springville was a lifelong resident of Linn County. He was born on a farm 1 ½ miles north of Springville on August 28, 1922 and he passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 at Higley Mansion, Cedar Rapids.

A memorial service celebrating Merle’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with the Rev. John Keizer officiating. Inurnment with military rites will be held in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 1-2 pm Wednesday at the chapel.

Survivors include his loving wife of 73 years, Harriett; Children, Bernard (Jill) McGrew of Lexington, KY, Allen (Pam) McGrew of Cedar Rapids, Sandra (Kent) Mueller of Forest Grove, OR; grandchildren, Amy Jacobs, Matt McGrew, James McGrew, Kristin Mueller and Mark Mueller; 10 great-grandchildren; Siblings, James (Mary Lou) McGrew of Cedar Rapids and Lillian (Daryl) Stuhr of Peru, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Michael McGrew and a sister, Gertrude Sawyer.

He graduated from Springville High School in 1940. On December 12 of that year, he married Edith Harriett Jacobs. During WWII he served in the U.S. Navy. His aircraft carrier was part of the first fleet to enter Tokyo Bay at the end of the war. Music was part of Merle’s life from the time he was a small boy. He taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica. Through the years, he would pick up his guitar and have a family sing-along. Merle & Harriet harmonized beautifully. After retiring in 1982 as an engineer at Collins Radio, Merle and Harriett wintered in Mesa, AZ. They entertained as part of several groups including their own “Sun Country Band” which played for dances and events in the Mesa area. He has enjoyed playing locally for the last seven years. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice Compassus, 610 32nd Ave SW, #F, Cedar Rapids, IA  52404.