Matthew Keith “Sarge” Merritt, age 82, of Marengo, IA, formerly of Waco, TX, died Monday, September 1, 2008 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo following an extended illness. Funeral Services: 11:00 A.M. Friday, September 5, 2008, First United Methodist Church, Marengo, IA with Rev. Katie Dawson officiating. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery with military honors conducted by Marengo American Legion Post #76. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, IA. A memorial fund has been established.

Keith is survived by his wife Marilyn, two daughters, Barb Christoffersen and husband Steve of Cedar Rapids, and Shery Merritt of Bethlehem, PA; a son Dan Merritt and wife Teresa of Jenks, OK; seven grandchildren, Brian (Lory) Christoffersen of Cedar Rapids, Tammy (Mike) Hoffman of Mason City, IA, Shery (Nick) Pryszlak of Branchburg, NJ, Matthew Christoffersen of Cedar Rapids, Joshua (Kendra) Merritt of Centennial, CO, and Travis and Kayleen Merritt of Jenks, OK; seven great-grandchildren, Cody and Callie Christoffersen, Noah, Chloe, Dinah, Silas and Tabitha Hoffman. Also surviving are his siblings, Mary Hayden of Cedar Rapids, Jim Merritt and wife Beverly of Johnston, IA and Chuck Merritt and wife Jean of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Steven Keith Merritt, and a brother Ronald Merritt.

Matthew Keith Merritt was born September 28, 1925 in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Benjamin Burr Merritt and Florence Mae Hawkins Merritt. He received his education in the Iowa Valley schools, graduating from Iowa Valley High School in 1945. Following graduation, Keith was employed at Iowa Steel in Cedar Rapids. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 until 1970, stationed at Spokane, Washington, Yakota, Japan, Clark AFB in the Phillipines and several other bases in the U.S. He married Marilyn Huber on July 12, 1951 in Solon, Iowa. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Keith was employed by the Iowa Valley Schools in Marengo, then at Solar Homes of Marengo, retiring in 1977. The couple then moved to Waco, TX. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marengo, the American Legion Post #76 for over 59 years, and was treasurer of Air Force Sergeants. He enjoyed camping and fishing. He especially enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball during his years in the Air Force. Keith was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.