Merle Leroy Henderson

Merle Leroy Henderson, 96, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Central City, Iowa, where the family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until the service time. Pastor Andrew Happ will officiate. Burial will follow at Coggon Cemetery in Coggon.

Merle, fondly known as “Smoke” by many of his loved ones and friends, was born on April 23, 1928, at home in rural Linn County, Iowa, to Lloyd and Winnie (Burnside) Henderson. He attended the Little Red School House in rural Central City. On August 26, 1950, Merle was united in marriage to Verla Mae Ammeter in St. Louis, Missouri. Merle, a devoted farmer and respected member of his community, spent his entire life on the family farm in rural Coggon, up until November of 2024. His commitment to farming and the agricultural way of life was unwavering, even as he balanced a career working for over 33 years, for the State Highway Commission, now known as the Iowa Department of Transportation. He had a particular fondness for working with antiques, cars, tractors, and farm machinery. His passion for machinery led to his membership with the Two Cylinder Tractor Club, where he found camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts who shared his love for vintage equipment and farming heritage. Merle’s family was his greatest treasure, and he loved spending time with them. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Merle is survived and lovingly remembered by his six sons, Stan (Suzanne) Henderson of Paso Robles, California, Steve (Connie) Henderson of Monticello, Iowa, Gene Henderson of Manchester, Rick Henderson of Coggon, Verle Henderson of Jonesboro, Louisiana, and Larry Henderson (Jeannie Kuiper) of North Liberty, Iowa; eleven grandchildren, Daniel (Elizabeth) Henderson, Matthew Henderson, Tracy (Chad) Moler, Jill (Carl) Ries, Brian (DeAnne) Henderson, Brad (Donna) Coblentz, Nicole (Kris) Gruber, Ashley (Michael) Ressler, Haley (Tanner) Pease, Brock (Sydney) Henderson, and Brady Henderson; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Garnett Henderson and Marilyn Hejda, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife of 64 years, Verla Henderson; one granddaughter, Kristy Henderson; and three brothers, Wallis “Walley” Henderson, Keith Henderson, and Gerald Henderson.