A Service of Remembrance was held Saturday, Oct. 24, at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson for Meryl Ebert Youngblood, 81, of Jefferson.
The Rev Gordon Moen, pastor of the church, offered words of comfort. Sheilah Pound was soloist, accompanied by Keri Brooker. Honorary bearers were Kyle, Kayla, Sara and Danielle Youngblood.
Casket bearers were Steve Moore, Roger Ott, John Patience, Arthur Lund, Roger Olhausen and Randy Harvey. Interment was during a private family ceremony at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Rosssow Funeral Home of Jefferson. Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church.
Meryl E. Youngblood, 81 of Jefferson, IA, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Greene County Medical Center’s long term care unit in Jefferson. The son of Lucian and Berniece (Gregory) Youngblood, Meryl was born June 12, 1934 in Carroll, IA.
Meryl attended country school in Bristol #6. When ready to enter seventhth grade, school bus service began and Meryl attended Jefferson public school. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953. He then enrolled at Iowa State University in farm operations.
In 1955, he joined his father to begin a life of farming, a vocation he truly loved. He grew corn, soybeans, and oats. Livestock on the farm consisted of hogs and a few head of sheep and cattle.
On Labor Day weekend 1959, Meryl met his future wife, Aldora Lund, at a dance at the Lamimar Ballroom in Fort Dodge. They were married Dec. 30, 1961, at Badger Lutheran Church. Meryl and Aldora made their home in Jefferson for a few years and in 1965 they moved to the family farm northwest of Jefferson.
Along with farming, Meryl and Aldora owned and operated Youngblood Seed Farm where they sold certified seed beans and oats to farmers.
Meryl was a member of 4-H when growing up, and he enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren belong to 4-H. He enjoyed being a member of Morning Star Lodge #159 (Masons). For many years, he served on the Iowa Crop Improvement Association board.
Active in Greene County Farm Bureau, he served 12 years as a director. Meryl was also a member of First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson for 54 years.
In 1998, Meryl and Aldora moved to Jefferson. Even though they were living in town, Meryl continued to visit the farm every day. He enjoyed participating in farming activities.
Meryl enjoyed being around people. He never met a stranger and always had time to visit. He could also be seen riding his scooter around the neighborhood. He had a great sense of humor and loved hearing or telling a good joke. Playing cards and shooting pool were two activities he enjoyed. Meryl enjoyed watching Iowa State football and basketball games on television and was especially proud when two of his grandchildren chose to follow a tradition to attend Iowa State University. He had an avid interest in flying and for several years had his pilot’s license. But the greatest joy of Meryl’s life was his family.
Meryl was preceded in death by his wife Aldora and parents Lucian and Berniece Youngblood.
Surviving are his children Marilyn (Perry) Parker of Churdan, Larry Youngblood of Peoria, IL, and Bruce (Amy) Youngblood of Jefferson; grandchildren Kyle and Kayla Youngblood of Jefferson and Sara and Danielle Youngblood of Peoria; sister Lois Jean (Lowell) Johnson of Urbandale; sisters-in-law Maxine Harvey of Sheffield, and Elizabeth Lund of Badger; and with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
