Merlyn R. Miller, 82, of Cherokee, Iowa died Friday, October 18, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 25th at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Jane Johnston will officiate. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 24th, at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Interment will be a private family burial service prior to the Celebration of Life Service at Plymouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery, rural LeMars. Arrangements are under the direction of the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. On line condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

Merlyn Ray Miller was born December 22, 1930 at Ruble, Iowa to Abe and Violet Crow Miller. He attended country school K-8 and graduated from LeMars High School in 1949. He attended college at Wayne State College and Westmar College. He graduated from Westmar in 1958. He received a Masters degree from Colorado State in 1964. Merlyn was member of the 1949 undefeated Wayne State football team. He was inducted into the Wayne State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Merlyn and LaVonne Klave were married October 14, 1951, at the Lutheran Church in Craig, Iowa. They farmed for five years and then Merlyn went into the field of education. He taught for 35 years at the towns of Clara City, Minn., Akron and Cherokee. He was a teacher, coach, counselor and drivers education instructor. They were members of the Presbyterian Churches at rural LeMars and Cherokee. This marriage was blessed with three children, Linda, Jay and Todd. Merlyn's wife, Lavonne, passed away April 9, 1985.

On December 20, 1986, Merlyn and Mary Ann Gerjets were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. With this marriage he acquired a step-daughter, Barbara and Tim Behrens and their sons Nicholas and Steven.
Merlyn and Mary Ann retired in 1993. They spent many wonderful years traveling, camping and spending time with their families. Merlyn's hobbies included crafts, carpentry, camping and making ice cream. His greatest joy was spending time with his children, 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Merlyn was proud of his profession and enjoyed having former students stop by and visit.

He is survived by wife Mary Ann, daughter Linda and Steve Schram, Norfolk, NE, sons Jay and Sharon Miller of Akron, Todd and Kim Miller of Cherokee and step-daughter Barb and Tim Behrens of East Troy, WI. Grandchildren Erin and Doug Ollendike, Polk City, Brian and Amy Schram, Papillion, NE, Shaun and Sonya Miller, Ankeny, Sarah and Thor Peterson, Sioux Falls, Scott and Charisse Schram, Ankeny, Travis and Jamie Miller, Ankeny, Gregory Miller, Atlanta, GA, Jordan Miller, Cherokee, and Nicholas Behrens, Rio Rancho NM. Great grandchildren Dylan, Addison and Landon Ollendike, Brooklyn and Payton Schram, Mackenzie, Jay and Julia Miller, Bain and Lola Peterson, Simon and Everett Schram, Braley and Camden Miller, brothers Wayne, Hospers and Robert (Lois),Hereford, AZ.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne, his parents, baby brother Stanley, sister Irene Molloy, sister-in-law Margaret Miller, brother-in-law Bert Renken, grandson Steven Behrens, niece Mary Miller Remus, and nephew Terry Oltmanns and Mary Ann's son Steven.

Merlyn's request was to be cremated. In lieu of flowers, please give your donations to your favorite charity.