Merle E. Oldfather, Jr., 83, of Milan, died Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at Avonlea Cottage, Milan

Merle was born August 18, 1933 in rural Edina, Missouri, a son of Merle, Sr. and Lela E. Fisher Oldfather. He married Marjorie P. Hayden on December 16, 1952 in Edina. She preceded him in death on July 14, 2016.

He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He was employed with I.H. Farmall Works for 28 years, until their closure. Merle also worked for Illinois Iowa Blacktop, Rock Island and later for Iowa Surfacing, Bluegrass.

Merle was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Milan, for over 50 years, where he also had served as a Trustee. In earlier years, he was a member of the Rock Island Moose Lodge. He and Marjorie enjoyed camping, going to blue grass festivals, stock car racing, and NASCAR .

Survivors include his children (and spouses), Steven (Donna) Oldfather, New Windsor, Ill., Cindy (Jim) Meyer, Moberly, Mo. and Ellis (life partner, Myke Reynolds) Oldfather, Davenport; grandchildren, Diana (Joe) Hunt, Joy, Ill., Michael (Jamie) Oldfather, Moline, Kyle (Jeannie) Oldfather, Sherrard, Rachel (Kelly) Miller , Knox City, Mo. and Derek Oldfather, Rock Island; step-granddaughter, Kathleen (Doug) Berry, Davenport; twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Alice Smith, Mt. Sterling, IL; sister-in-law, Norma Shahan, Edina; and many nieces, nephews, and additional family.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Elizabeth Scott and L. Eileen Strong; and one brother and sister in infancy.

A Memorial service for Merle and his late wife, Marjorie, will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 E. 4th Avenue, Milan, where visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Additional Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at Hudson-Rimer.

Reverend Graig Connell will officiate the services.  Inurnment for Merle and Marjorie will be held at a later date in the Linville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Linville Cemetery in Edina, MO.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO, 63537.