Robert "Bob" L. Merley

Robert “Bob” L. Merley
Sheldon, Iowa
Services for Bob Merley, age 84, of Sheldon who passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 19, 2020 at Sheldon United Methodist Church with Pastor Kevin Gingerich ~ officiating.
Burial will be held at a later date at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.
Visitation with family present will be from 9:30 A.M. until service time on Friday, June 19, 2020 at the Sheldon United Methodist Church.
Social distancing guidelines will take place.
Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.


IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ROBERT “BOB” L. MERLEY

BORN
March 7, 1936
Sheldon, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
June 13, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
11:00 A.M. Friday, June 19, 2020
Sheldon United Methodist Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Kevin Gingerich ~ Officiating

MUSIC
“I Can Only Imagine”
“Wind Beneath My Wings”
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
Duet by: Tricia Meendering and Wil George
Organist: Barb Burns

FINAL RESTING PLACE
At a later date
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

Arrangements are under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

ROBERT “BOB” L. MERLEY
Robert Lee Merley, the son of Robert Sr. and Gertrude (Vos) Merley was born on March 7, 1936 in Sheldon, Iowa. He attended Sheldon Schools and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1955. On November 24, 1956, Bob was united in marriage to Julia Vander Linden in Worthington, Minnesota. After their marriage the couple resided in Sheldon for quite a few years before moving on an acreage outside of Sheldon for 34 years before moving back to town in 2017. Bob owned and operated his own excavating business for many years. The couple were involved in starting Village Northwest in Sheldon. Bob passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota reaching the age of 84 years, 3 months and 6 days.
Bob was a member of the Sheldon United Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing, visiting with friends, grilling and spending time at Silver Lake. He also enjoyed tinkering, fixing, and restoring whatever he could get his hands on; he built a dune buggy and drove Volkswagens.
Left to cherish Bob’s memory are his wife of 64 years, Julia; son, Jeffrey Rider of Williamsburg, Iowa; grandchildren, Jerome, Leslie and Johnny Rider; great grandchildren, Billy, Josie and Carly; brother, Rod and his wife Renae Merley of Sheldon; several brothers and sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and son, Michael in 2016.