Merritt Eblen

Merritt Eblen, 84, of Creston died Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care in Creston.

Celebration of life services will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Powers Funeral Home, junction of highways 34 and 25, in Creston. The Rev. Mary O'Riley will officiate. Burial will be Monday, Nov. 14, at Iowa Veteran's Cemetery in Van Meter. Military honors will be conducted by Theodore J. Marten's VFW Post No. 1797 of Creston. Visitation will be from 2 to 6:30 p.m. with family present from 5 to 6:30 p.m. service time Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Creston VFW or Creston Animal Rescue Effort. Online condolences may be left at www.powersfh.com.

Merritt Alvin Eblen, son of Charles “Dude” Eblen and Doris Mae (Maas) Eblen, was born Jan. 27, 1932, in Massena. Shortly after graduating from Richland High School, Merritt joined the Sea Bees Unit of the Navy and served in the French Morocco. When he returned to the United States with one year left to serve, he was assigned to Kingsville Air Force Base in Kingsville, Texas.

While on interim leave in 1955, he married Norma Lou Pickrell in Fontanelle and after completing his military duty, they settled in Creston where he established the Eblen Construction Company and several entrepreneurial ventures. After the birth of two children, the couple divorced and Merritt married Cheryl Lomika Eblen. This marriage also ended in divorce. Merritt officially retired in December 2015 due to failing health.

Merritt was a member of Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge, both in Creston.

Merritt is survived by his son Michael (Karen) Eblen of Creston; daughter Mauxie (Pat) King of Creston; grandchildren, Alexie (Patrick) Bybee of Santa Barbara, California, and Sam Aleto of Iowa City; great-grandchild Sabastian Bybee; sisters-in-law, Virginia Eblen of Creston and Juanita “Jean” Eblen of Des Moines; nephew Denny Eblen of Des Moines and longtime girlfriend Phyllis Keller of Creston.

Merritt was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald and Delmar; sister Margaret Blazek; infant brother Charles; brother-in-law Charles Blazek and nephews, Dallas Eblen, Ronnie Blazek and Roger Eblen.