Sheldon Merrill Jr. the son of Sheldon and Iva (Denton) Merrill was born March 25, 1925 in Bancroft, Iowa. He died on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville, Iowa at the age of 91.

He received his education and graduated from Seneca High School in 1944. Sheldon served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a proud member of the 42nd Rainbow Division and served as an artillery gun crewman. Sheldon saw action in France, Germany and Austria, until the end of the war. He was then part of the Army of Occupation in Germany.

On May 31, 1947 he was united in marriage to LaVonne Bailey at her parents home in Seneca. After their marriage the couple farmed for 25 years. They owned and operated Merrill Grocery and Feed Store in Louisburg, Missouri. After living in Missouri for a time, they returned to the area and made their home in Fenton, Iowa. Sheldon also worked for Farm Service Co. in Emmetsburg for 24 years. In 1978, the couple moved to Ingham Lake in rural Wallingford where they made their home. He enjoyed delivering fuel for Torreson Oil Company for eleven years. In December of 2003, the couple moved to Estherville where they made their home at Friendship Terrace. LaVonne died in 2004.

Sheldon was a lifetime member of the VFW in Estherville and Pheasants Forever. For hobbies, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and photography. He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Left to cherish Sheldon's memory are his three children, Jim Merrill and his wife, Jean of Armstrong, Iowa; Kathy Foote and her husband, Larry of Farnhamville, Iowa; George Merrill and his wife, Betty of Emmetsburg, Iowa; ten grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren; brother, Don Merrill and his wife, Jane of Warrensburg, Missouri. He has been preceded in death by his parents; infant sister; great granddaughter, Ava Irene Stevens and his wife, LaVonne.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given in memory of Sheldon.