In accordance with their wishes, a joint memorial service will be held Saturday, June 18, in Grand Junction for Merle B. Mount who died March 13, 2008, and his wife Annabel Mount, who died Jan. 28, 2016.
Merle B. Mount
July 3, 1916 – March 13, 2008
Merle B. Mount, 91, resident of Grand Junction, IA, for 85 years, died March 13, 2008 in Lancaster, CA.
Merle was born July 3, 1916 on his parents’ farm near Grand Junction. He was the third of five sons and one daughter born to Virgil and Mary (Collogan) Mount. Merle married Annabel McGaffey in 1936 and they lived in Grand Junction until 2001. They then moved to Palmdale to live in their new home built for them on their son and daughter-in-law’s property.
Merle attended the Grand Junction Consolidated School and received his high school diploma there in 1934. He spent the following two years helping on the family farm during summer months and attending Jackson Business College in Chillicothe, MO, during its winter sessions. Merle then utilized his business education in bookkeeping jobs in Grand Junction, working for Modern Construction, the local telephone company and as city clerk. In 1943 he spent five months working for Ferguson-Diehl Construction on the Alcan Highway in Alaska.
Merle gained on-the-job experience working for local plumbing, heating, electrical and carpentry contractors before starting work as a carpenter and homebuilder for Neel Lumber Company in 1953. Several of the “Neel Addition” homes in Grand Junction were built by Merle and upon his retirement in 1978, after 25 years of service, he was recognized as a “Master Home Builder” by the company.
Merle was a member of the United Methodist Church and was an avid volunteer as scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout Troop 37. For his dedication to scouting youth and to the Prairie Gold Council and its campgrounds at Lake Okoboji he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1958. This cherished award was presented to him by his Scouting peers for distinguished volunteer service to youth.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Wayne. He is survived by his brothers Warren and Dwight of Grand Junction and Dale of Boone; his sister Genevieve of Fort Dodge; Annabel, his beloved wife of 71 years; his son William (Lorene) of Palmdale, CA; grandson Brian (Beth) Mount; granddaughter Lori (Brian) Hornback; and great –grandchildren: Christina Mount, Bailey and Brandon Mount, and Taylor and Alexis Hornback.
Annabel W. Mount
May 3, 1916 – January 28, 2016
Annabel Winona (McGaffey) Mount, 99, resident of Grand Junction, IA, for 69 years, died January 28, 2016 at home with family at her side in Palmdale, CA.
Annabel was born May 3, 1916 in a sod house near Quinter, KS, daughter of William and Mary (Toms) McGaffey. Annabel’s childhood places of residence included Quinter, Grainfeld and Smith Center, KS, Brush and Greeley, CO, and finally Grand Junction. It was in Grand Junction that she attended her last two years of high school, receiving her diploma in 1934.
Annabel married Merle Mount in 1936 and they lived in Grand Junction until 2001. They then moved to Palmdale to live in their new home built for them on their son and daughter-in-law’s property.
Annabel was a member of the United Methodist Church, served as the Grand Junction school secretary from 1953-1963 and was the city librarian from 1967 to 1977.
Annabel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 71 years, Merle, her parents, her sister Maxine, and her brother Frank.
She is survived by her son, William (Lorene) of Palmdale; grandson Brian (Beth) Mount; granddaughter Lori (Brian) Hornback; and great-grandchildren Christina Mount, Bailey, Brandon and Jessica Mount, and Taylor and Alexis Hornback.
In accordance with Merle and Annabel’s wishes, joint memorial services and burial will be in Grand Junction. The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, 515-386-2171.
