Merlin L. Crawford

Merlin L. Crawford, 82, of Keota, Iowa, died Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Washington County Hospital following a sudden illness. Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Jason Collier officiating. Calling hours will begin 2 p.m. Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Internment with military honors will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Merlin's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Merlin was born April 18, 1940, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Maurice Lee and Myra Lucile (Turkington) Crawford. Merlin attended Prairie Flower Country School and graduated from Washington High School 1958. He was united in marriage to Margaret Stout on June 18, 1961, in Washington, Iowa. Merlin was a resident of Washington County and farmed west of Washington all of his life. He served in the Army National Guard for 27 years. Merlin was very active in tractor pulls where he won the State Tractor Pull in the 1960s. He enjoyed restoring John Deere tractors, hunting, fishing, and traveling out west. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Crawford of Keota, Iowa; daughter, Marsha (Brad) Tomson of North Liberty, Iowa; son, Mitchell (Sandi) Crawford of Keota, Iowa; son, Michael Crawford of North Liberty, Iowa; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Karen Norman of Washington, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dennis Crawford.