Merlyn Gene Gunsallus of McIntire, Iowa,  passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2018, at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home at the age of 88, surrounded by his family.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Church in Riceville, Iowa, with Father Jerry Kopacek officiating. Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville, with a 2 p.m. rosary. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the funeral Mass on Monday. Burial will be at Visitation Catholic Cemetery in Stacyville, Iowa.

Merlyn was born Oct. 6, 1929, in Osage, Iowa, to John and Esther (Brandt) Gunsallus. He graduated from McIntire High School in 1949. On July 14, 1951, he married Dorothy Koenigs at the Visitation Parish House in Stacyville. To this union, three children were born. Merlyn was called to service in the U.S. Army on Jan. 23, 1951, and was discharged in 1953. He worked at Oliver/White Farm in Charles City, Iowa, for 36 years before retiring in 1985, and hobby-farmed until 2000. He was a member of the Hale Fuller Post No. 569 in Stacyville for 54 years.  Merlyn enjoyed visiting with his sister, relatives, friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed sitting on the patio and watching the farming being done.

Merlyn is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Gunsallus of McIntire; children, James “Jimmy” (Que) Gunsallus of Tacoma, Washington, Sheryl (Tim) Adams of Stacyville, and Brian (friend Rachel) of LeRoy, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Marlys (Robert) Starry; and sister-in-law, Mildred (Leo) Barnes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Orvis; sister, Avis Wood; and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com