Merlin L. Scholl

Merlin L. Scholl, 88, of Rockwell, IA and formerly of Mason City, IA, died Monday, December 19, 2016, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Bishop Kelly Hansen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. At his request, the casket will remain closed. Military Honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Interment will take place at Mount Vernon Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Merlin Scholl memorial fund.

Merlin L. Scholl was born February 2, 1928, in Rockwell, IA, the son of Leo and Gladys (Sturges) Scholl. He graduated from Rockwell High School in 1945, and continued his education at Hamilton Business College before earning his Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science degree and his Doctorate at Drake University. He also attended the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Minnesota. Merlin served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific and in Korea and Japan. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 375. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 733, Retired Teachers Association and the Mason City Senior Center. Mr. Scholl, a former high school principal and teacher, served as a senior guidance counselor in the Waterloo School District for 25 years, prior to his retirement in 1987. He served a total of 36 years in the field of secondary education. He received a plaque in 1987, which read: In recognition of 36 years of faithful service as a dedicated educator.

Throughout his lifetime, Merlin maintained avid interests in reading, fishing and coin collecting. He had a great love for traveling to all the eastern and western seaboard states, Canada and city tours in the south of Savannah, Charleston and Atlanta, including historic Civil War homes, monuments and battlefields. For 6 years, he was a visitor to the Hawaiian Islands, particularly Oahu and Maui. After his retirement, he enjoyed working as an election poll official for a total of 14 years. He enjoyed reading the newspaper each day and keeping up on all the current events. Merlin was a gentle man who lived and enjoyed a very rich and full life.

Merlin is survived by 2 nephews: Jay and Jerry Bracklein.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister: Evelyn Bracklein; and brother-in-law: Hans Bracklein.