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Merlin Scadden, 87, of Creston, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at his home in Creston. Celebration of Life visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Burial will be at a later date in Graceland Cemetery. Full military rites will be by Theodore J. Martens, Creston VFW Post #1797 at 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the family to be determined later. Online condolences can be made at www.powersfh.com.
Merlin Jack Scadden was born Dec. 27, 1936, to parents DJ Scadden (Doris Joefid) and Eugenia May (McWilliams) Scadden in Murray. Merlin entered the U.S. Army in 1955 and served in Germany for two years. While on a 30-day leave, Merlin was united in marriage to Kathy May Westlake April 13, 1957, in Creston at their minister’s home. They were later blessed with four children.
He was stationed in El Paso, Texas, for two years, Ansbach, Germany, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was an instructor crewman on Lance Missile Systems Artillery until retiring as a staff sergeant in 1977. Merlin later worked maintenance for Union County for 20 years, drove the Southern Iowa Trolley and hauled rock for Rich Wenzig.
He was a lifetime member of the Creston VFW. He was a very active and loving father, grandpa and family man who loved being outside. He always took pride in his lawn, loved spending time at the Adams County Speedway, gardening and enjoying a good piece of gooseberry pie.
Merlin is survived by his wife, Kathy Scadden of Creston; three children, Jack (Catherine) Scadden of Urbandale, Kevin Scadden of Creston and Brenda Scadden Baird (Tom) of Creston; son in-law, Jack Rettig of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; grandchildren: Evin Scadden (Ann Hinton) of Creston, Kaytlynn (Cory) Bennett of Clearfield, Quinton Scadden of Creston, Dustin (Sam) Baird of Creston, Tara (Brian) Kendrick of West Des Moines and Lauren (Rachel) Rettig of New Orleans, Louisiana; great-grandchildren: Beckett Bennett, Ryder and Reid Baird, Carter and Collin Kendrick and Robin Rettig-Lee and Alibi and Chasin Luther; two sisters, Martha Adams of Stanberry, Missouri, and Marge Miller of Des Moines; sister in-law, Nadine Scadden of Creston; his lifelong cat companion, Honey Jr.; special friend, Scott Johnston and many other special family and friends.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Eugenia Scadden; his daughter, Debra Scadden in 2023; daughter in-law, Jackie Scadden in 2007; brothers, Marvin and Melvin Scadden; sisters, Beverly Scadden and Mary (Lane) Schuldt and his in-laws, Olin and Ruth Westlake.