NEWHALL:  Merlyn W. Gahring, age 89, died Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Rock Ridge Residential Care Center in Shellsburg following an extended illness.
      Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall, with Rev. Steven Rempfer officiating.  Interment will be held at St. John Cemetery rural Newhall.  Friends may call from  4 until 7 P.M. on Tuesday at the Phillips Family Center 605 2nd Avenue in Vinton.
        Merlyn was born August 26, 1919 near Marengo to Christian and Flossie (Border) Gahring.  He lived with his parents near Ladora and later Keystone, where he attended country school.  On August 17, 1941 he was united in marriage to Alice Dixon in Kirksville, Missouri. 
        Merlyn was a life-long farmer.  After serving in the U.S. Army in 1943, he farmed many years in the LaPorte City, Keystone and Independence areas before retiring to Newhall in 1992.  He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall and had served as a trustee on the ASCS board for Buchanan County.  In earlier years, he enjoyed attending dances, playing cards and traveling with friends.  He especially enjoyed the many visits by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He would often tell stories of his many escapades during his younger years and his early days of farming.
        He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice; three children, Marjorie (Glenn) Werning of Newhall, Larry (Joyce) Gahring of Atkins, Sherri Gahring of Roseville, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Greg (Tami) Werning of Tiffin, Gene (Andrea) Werning of Conroe, Texas, Barry (Brenda) Werning of Blairstown, Karie (Shannon) Kelty of Urbana, Chris (DaLea) Gahring of Urbana and Cory Johnson of Denver, Colorado; ten great grandchildren, Carly Kelty, Lindsay Kelty, Sydney Kelty, Jacob Kelty, Marissa Gahring, Caiden Gahring, Samantha Werning, Madison Werning, Nathan Werning and Danielle Werning; and one sister, Fern McGrew of Osage Beach, Missouri.
        Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother Billy Gahring.
        The family wishes to thank Hospice of Mercy and the staff and nurses at Rock Ridge for their loving care of Merlyn