Merle Franklin Sipes

January 26, 1909 - April 17, 2003

Merle Franklin Sipes: Merle passed away at the Sigourney Care Center on Thursday evening, April 17, 2003 at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 22 days. Merle's memory is honored by his daughter, Mary Lou Brown of Oskaloosa; a grandson & his wife, Terry & Marcia Brown of New Sharon, IA; a granddaughter and her husband, Brenda & Jeff Anderson of Fremont, NE; four great grandchildren: Amber Lake and her husband, Allan; Sarah Brown and Alex and Holly Anderson. Merle Franklin Sipes, son of John & Nettie Jane Mason Sipe was born January 26, 1909 in Lewiston, IL. As a youngster, he attended rural schools near Lewiston. On Dec. 4, 1935, he and Mary Dimmit Besco were united in marriage in Virginia, IL; they moved to Chillicothe, IA before moving to Oskaloosa in 1941. Merle worked as a dragline and shovel operator in coal mines in and around Oskaloosa and for the M & St. L Railroad; he retired in 1979. After 45 years marriage, his wife Mary passed away on May 26, 1981. Four years ago, he became a resident of the Sigourney Health Care Center. Merle enjoyed working in his yard, gardening, and fishing, gigging for fish, mushroom hunting and playing cards. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and two brothers: Jesse & Glenn Sipes; one sister, Zella Mason; and a son-in-law, Larry Brown. PDF Printable Version