Merwin Arkie Fay Zerba Sr.

1933 - 2022

Merwin “Arkie� Fay Zerba Sr., 89, of Hiawatha, Iowa, passed away on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, at Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at the funeral home followed by burial at Dunkard Cemetery in Midway, Iowa, with full military honors. Merwin was born on June 6, 1933, in Rowley, Iowa, the son of Eugene and Mary (Timpson) Zerba. After graduating high school, he went on to serve honorable in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. In December of 1955, Merwin was united in marriage to Donna Lamphier, she preceded him in death. He was a farmer and worked at Weyerhauser for 46 years, retiring in 2000. Merwin enjoyed fishing, traveling, going to the casino, basketball and football, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He was a member of the VFW and a league bowler for many years. Merwin will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Merwin is survived and lovingly remembered by his three sons, Merwin (Michele) Zerba Jr. of Toddville, Iowa, Timmie Zerba of Urbana, Iowa, and Michael Zerba of Toddville; six grandchildren, Kevin, Derrick, Keith (Crystal), Richard (Lisa), Amber (Preston) Reed and Sarah Purcell; and 14 great-grandchildren, Chase, Tanner, Natalia, Nash, Emma, Alexia, Hailey, Hank, Easton, Addyson, Kayden, Harper, Emberley and Huxley. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Harriet Pisarik and Bertha Peifenstahl; five brothers, Ralph, Raymond (Mary), Lawrence (Patricia), Rolland (Betty) and Harlan (Louise). Please share a memory of Merwin at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.