Merl C. Engles

Merl C. Engles, 88, of Othello, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at the Avalon Care Center.

Merl was born on March 14, 1919, in Dubuque, Iowa, to William and Clara, Nelson, Engles. Merl's father died when he was a young man. He left high school to help support his family, working odd jobs during the Depression. He met Norma Andrews in Dubuque and they married on Nov. 9, 1940, in Keoka, Mo. Merl went to work in Alaska helping to build the Alaskan Highway. He then moved to Seattle where he worked in the Shipyards during WW II. In 1953 Merl moved his family to Othello where he worked as a manager for Western Farmers then for P.J. Taggares for 35 years, never truly retiring. Merl was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Othello Eagles Aerie #3396.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Norma of Othello, his son and daughter-in-law Bill and Becky Engles of Othello, and his daughter Heather Malloy of Puyallup, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Tanya, his brother Lorin and a sister Vivian.

Merl took a lot of pride in his yard and garden and was very particular about how they looked. He allowed very few people to work on either. Merl enjoyed picnics with his family regardless of where. He will always be remembered as a hard-working loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

A time for final visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel on Friday Jan. 11, 2008, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday Jan. 12, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at Stevens Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens.