Merlyn Mike Byington

ROCK FALLS: Merlyn D. ?Mike? Byington, 77, of rural Rock Falls, died Wednesday (September 12, 2007) at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 15, at 10:30 AM, at the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Pastors Sarah Nye, Paul Birkedal, Wendy Johannesen and Jim Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Old Stone United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church. Merlyn Dale Byington was born at the farm home in rural Plymouth on March 26, 1930, the son of Glenn and Susie (May) Byington. Merlyn attended country school and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1947. He served in the US Army in Korea from September 1951 through September of 1953. Mike was united in marriage to Margaret J. White on April 4, 1954. They lived and farmed together in the rural Rock Falls area. They celebrated 53 happy years of marriage and the entire family enjoyed a wonderful trip to Florida for their Fiftieth Wedding anniversary. Mike loved the farm life, being happiest when he was working outdoors. Mike cherished time with his family and enjoyed watching and supporting his grandchildren?s activities. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, the Iowa Hawkeyes, auto racing, and golfing. Mike never turned down the opportunity for a good 500 card game. He was a member of the Old Stone United Methodist Church, the church board of trustee?s, and the church?s 20-30 club. Mike served 6 terms as director of the North Iowa Co-op. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 0449 of Nora Springs, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 733. He is survived by his wife, Margaret of rural Rock Falls, 4 daughters: Karen Birkedal and her husband Paul of Hickory, North Carolina, Peggy and her husband Brad of Marion, Iowa, Ellen and her husband Randy of Plymouth, Iowa and Holly and her husband Lynn of Quincy, Illinois. Eleven grandchildren: Sarah Nye and her husband Joel, Rachel and Nathan Birkedal, Katie, Nick and Kevin Schuver, Christine Douglas and her husband Carl, Melissa Hinecker, Jenny, Jeff and Jonathan Gallagher. One great grandchild Chylee Douglas and a much anticipated baby Nye, brothers, Dr. Keith (Nancy) Byington of Colombia, MO, Dr. Don (Marilyn) Byington of San Francisco, CA, sister, Kathryn (Dennis) Kearns of Urbandale, IA. , Sister-in-law, Mary Louise (Marvin) Byington of Clear Lake, IA, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Marvin and Melvin, sister- in- law Carol Arickx and a special niece, Beth White Ollanik.

Visitation:
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at on September 14, 2007 (map/driving directions) 12:30 PM to 12:30 PM at on September 17, 2007 (map/driving directions)

Service:
10:30 AM at on September 15, 2007 (map/driving directions)