LeRoy Merkel

July 06, 1931 — September 28, 2025

LeRoy Merkel

Service Details

LeRoy was born in northern Iowa on July 6, 1931, and died in Charleston, South Carolina on September 28, 2025. He spent most of his life in Des Moines, where he graduated from East High School. He then served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. When he returned, he married Norma Edmundson in 1954 and they raised a family on the southside. After retirement from Younkers, he would spend his days meeting his friends for coffee, walking through the mall, golfing, playing cards, and doing jigsaw puzzles. His last two years were spent in South Carolina close to his granddaughter.

LeRoy loved being around people, and no one was a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, and was always teasing and joking, a smile on his face. These qualities endeared him to everyone he met and helped him remain close with his classmates and coworkers. Sometimes it got him in trouble, like when he teased a waitress at Disney World and she volunteered him to go up on stage for a shoe-slapping competition. He also played a wicked game of cards, where you might be the target of his teasing whether you were his partner or his opponent. But it was always good-natured, and he won or lost with equal amounts of grace.

Even during the last couple of years, he continued many of the same hobbies. He was still doing jigsaw puzzles everyday (albeit easier ones), drinking coffee with his friends, and playfully joking with his caregivers.

Above all, LeRoy was devoted to his family. He was always there when you needed him. He was the caregiver to Norma for many years so she could remain in her home. He adored his grandchildren and was enchanted by his great-grandchildren. While he couldn’t play with them as much anymore, his eyes always lit up when he saw them.

LeRoy is survived by daughter, NorRae (Greg) Spohn; son, Mark (Cindy) Merkel; four grandchildren, Michael Spohn, David Spohn, Andria Keadle, and Chase Merkel; two great-grandchildren, Joshua Spohn and Eleanor Keadle; and a sister, Sharon Gilbert.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma.

Graveside services will be held on Friday October 10, 2025 at 12:00pm at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, please take a loved one out for coffee and a hug in memory of LeRoy.

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