Merl Gene Brown, 88, died surrounded by the love of his family at his home in Kellogg on Thursday, September 28, 2023. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the Newton Church of the Way. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, October 2, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials to the Kellogg Fire and Ambulance may be left at the funeral home or the church the day of the service.

Merl, the son of Isaac and Anna (Hauersperger) Brown, was born June 12, 1935 in Jasper County Iowa. He grew up in Kellogg, Iowa and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1953. On February 28, 1957, Merl was united in marriage with Gerdena De Hoedt in Sully. They were blessed with four children, Mike, Rick, Cindy and David.

Merl enjoyed farming, going to the races, and automobiles. He was very well-respected farmer who for many years did custom farming in Jasper County and also served as a board member at the local Coop. Merl and Gerdena went to the Daytona 500 for 53 years in a row.

Those left to cherish Merl’s memory are his children, Mike (Aileen) Brown of Kellogg, Rick (Mary) Brown of Kellogg, Cindy (Mike) Meredith of Kellogg and David (Kathy) Brown of Kellogg; his nine grandchildren, Melanie (Tim) Sweeney, Justin (Veronica) Brown, Kristin (Trevor) Titus, Kelli (Racer) Hulin, Kayla (Josh) Illingworth, Justina (Calvin) Dhondt, Josh (Paige) Meredith, Kyle (Maggie) Brown and Kaitlyn (Erik) Lepley; 21 great grandchildren, and his brother, Glen (Nancy) Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Gerdena; brother, Leland; his sister, Dorothy; and half-brother, Joe Brown.

Monday
October 2, 2023
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory
1115 E. 19th St. N.
Newton, IA 50208-2539