Merle V Roberts (1920 - 2015)

Born 26 May 1920 in Odessa, Washington, United States

Died 16 Feb 2015 at age 94 in Lewiston, Idaho, United States

Biography

Obituary

Merle Virgil Roberts, 94, passed away Monday, Feb. 16, 2015.

Merle was born May 26, 1920, in Odessa, Wash., to Virgil and Marie (Varga) Roberts. The family later moved to Clarkston. Merle graduated from Clarkston High School in 1938. He met Ethel Gooch while they were both seniors and was immediately smitten. After graduation, Merle worked at Huggins Dairy and Ethel attended Washington State College for one year before returning to Clarkston to work.

They were married May 24, 1941, and later both quit their jobs to farm in Genesee. Merle was active in the area as a member of the Unity No. 32 Masonic Lodge, the Calam Shriners of Lewiston, a member for more than 70 years of the Lewiston Elks Lodge and other civic activities. He was involved in the Genesee Community Church as an elder and held other leadership roles. Merle valued education and would say, "Education is something they can never take away from you." He supported education by serving on the Genesee School Board. He was a farmer who loved the soil and disliked weeds, especially thistles and morning glory. Merle and Ethel traveled extensively with Gerald and Carol Druffel, going to Australia and New Zealand on wheat commission trips as well as trips on their own to Europe and Russia. In addition, they spent 30 years wintering in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Merle retired from farming in 1982. In 1990, they moved to Lewiston and built a new home there. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarkston and a member of the OWLs Travel Group. In 2010, they moved to Royal Plaza. They formed many friendships there, and after Ethel's passing he continued to enjoy these friendships.

Survivors include his sister, Dorothy Kronkright of Issaquah, Wash.; sons Ken Roberts and wife Sharon of Spokane, and Scott Roberts of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; a granddaughter, Dr. Lisa Christiansen and husband Kevin of Tigard, Ore.; a grandson, Michael of Seattle; and two great-granddaughters, Annika and Madison Christiansen.

Preceding Merle in death were his wife of almost 72 years, Ethel (Gooch) Roberts; his parents, Virgil and Marie Roberts; and brothers Floyd, Glen and Melvin.

The family expresses its appreciation to Royal Plaza Retirement Center, the Royal Plaza skilled nursing facility and Hospice of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for their support and care for Merle. The family also deeply appreciates the friendship and support shown by members of the Druffel and Schlee families over the years.

There will be a celebration of life reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Royal Plaza Retirement Center, 2870 Juniper Drive, Lewiston. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://lmtribune.com/obituaries/merle-v-roberts/article_6c67b03e-cd40-5aa7-a9ad-42f2d9156561.html