Merle Yaley

Merle Yaley, 98, of Mount Pleasant died Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living.

Merle was born September 1, 1926, in Lee County, Iowa, the son of Eugene and Edith (Blint) Yaley. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1944. On February 10, 1950, Merle was united in marriage to Hazel Mowrey in Nashville, Tennessee. They made their home in the Mount Pleasant community where they farmed for many years. He also sold Tomco and ACCO seed corn, and was a heavy equipment operator for Whaley Construction. In retirement he worked for Roth Management doing maintenance on rental properties. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, carpentry, working on cars and tractors, and attending auctions. Merle and Hazel enjoyed square dancing and attending country music festivals.

Merle is survived by three grandchildren, Kesh (Dr. Robert Greiner II) Hecker-Greiner, Brandon (Heather) Yaley, Danica (Aaron) Tolen; 13 great grandchildren, Karagen and Logan Hecker, Trey, Trinity, and Tristyn Greiner, Taryn, Amira, Avery and Kingston Tolen, Braiden and James Yaley, Aurora and Henry Liggett; great great grandson Braxton Ross; three sisters, Velna Smith of Salem, Carol (Dean) Anderson of New London, Marlene (Dick) Lenz of New London; brother Marvin (Jan) Yaley of Mount Pleasant; sister-in-law Irma Yaley of Mount Pleasant; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hazel, sons, Richard and Ron, brother George, sister Bertha Pickle, brothers-in-law Jack Pickle, Ed Smith, and two nephews.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 5, 2025, at Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service on Friday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant High School Wrestling Program. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Merle and his family.