Person Page - 2041

     Gordon Ray Merritt was born on 26 August 1923 at Marion, Linn Co., IA, WW II bonus application. He was the son of Andrew White Merritt and Eleanor M. Brunen. Gordon Ray Merritt married Marie Ileanna Dye, daughter of William Melvin Dye and Ruth Carman, on 26 January 1943 at Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA. Gordon Ray Merritt began military service WW II service, U.S. Marine Corps, wounded in action 21 SEP 1944. He died on 4 January 1956 at Winthrop, Buchanan Co., IA, at age 32

The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa); Wednesday, 04 Jan 1956; Page 1; (Newspapers.com)

WIFE TELLS OF SLAYING EVENTS

Walker Man Shot in Car At Winthrop

Husband Kills Former Mate of his Wife, Surrenders

WINTHROP -- Gordon Merritt, 32, of Walker was shot and killed by his former wife's husband, Charles Tudor, 27, of Winthrop, about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Buchanan County Sheriff Emory Hart said.

Hart said Merritt, a purple Heart veteran of World War II, was shot between the eyes while sitting with Mrs. Tudor in a car in front of the Tudor residence on highway 20 here.

Mrs. Tudor's Account.

Mrs. Tudor was taken to Cedar Rapids early Wednesday by a brother, Floyd Dye, and was in a state near collapse at his home at 2018 Third street SW.

She told a Gazette reporter that she and Merritt drove to Cedar Rapids Tuesday afternoon to see about income tax deductions for their three children. Enroute home they had a flat tire at Marion, stopped at Waubeck to visit Merritt's uncle and ate dinner in a Central City cafe.

She said she didn't see her husband at the time of the shooting until he opened the door on her side of the car.

Sheriff Hart said Tudor fired once through the door with a .22 caliber target pistol.

Goes to Neighbor.

Tudor then went to the home of a neighbor, Lorus Heffernan to call the sheriff.

Buchanan County Attorney William G. Klotzbach said Wednesday afternoon that Tudor was talking to an attorney at the Buchanan county jail. Klotzbach said he would not file a charge until after Tudor was through conferring with the attorney.

Tudor told the sheriff that when Merritt drove up in front of the house he decided to "scare him away: with the pistol. The gun fires soft hollow-node bullets.

Marie Tudor, a slim attractive 28-year-old brunette, was being cared for at her brother's home by her mother, Mrs. Ruth Dye, 844 Seventh avenue SE.

Apparently numbed by the shock of her former husband's death, she was resting on the sofa in her brother's house while her three sons -- Gordon, 11, and Raymond and Ronald, 9 -- played outdoors.

Scarcely Spoken

Mrs. Dye said she first knew of the shooting about 6 o'clock when Mr. Dye and Marie drove up to her home. Floyd took his sister and her three children to Cedar Rapids after being summoned to Winthrop sometime during the night.

She said Marie has scarcely spoken to her since that time.

In a brief and broken explanation of what happened prior to the shooting, Mrs. Tudor said she and Merritt went to Cedar Rapids sometime Tuesday afternoon to see about income tax papers because he was claiming the children as dependents.

After that, she said, they drove to Marion, where they had a flat tire.

After getting the tire fixed, they went to Waubeek where they visited for some time with an uncle of Merritt's. Bill Brunen. They stopped in a Central City cafe to eat supper before going home, she said.

Christmas Visit.

Merritt had not been to the Tudor home in Winthrop previously except on Christmas eve when he made a brief visit, Mrs. Tudor said. At that time he came to see the children, but wouldn't come in the house, she said.

She said she didn't think her husband was jealous of Merritt and that he had no objection to her ex-husband's visiting the children No arrangements for visits had been made, she said.

Mrs. Tudor's mother said Marie and her husband were happy together and that she knew of no difficulty between them. She described Tudor as the "sweetest, kindest person I ever knew."

Mrs. Tudor's father, William Dye, lives in Center Point. Her parents are divorced. Mrs. Tudor lived in Cedar Point for a time after her divorce from Merritt.

The Tudors had lived in Winthrop since their marriage in July last year.

Merritts Wed in 1943.

Marie and Gordon Merritt, who were married Jan. 26, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, were divorced on Aug. 31, 1954. Marie was the plaintiff in the divorce case, claiming cruel and inhuman treatment. She was awarded custody of their three children.

Prior to their divorce, the Merritts lived in Walker where Merritt was employed as a carpenter and Mrs. Merritt was employed in a tavern.

At the same time, Charles Tudor worked in the Henry Smith garage at Walker.

Following her divorce, Marie Merritt moved to Center point where she was employed at the Point Inn. Merritt went to Center Point and then to Coggon. He later returned to Walker.

Tudor Also Divorced.

Charles Tudor, who is employed by the John Deere Company in Waterloo, was first married Sept. 1, 1951, in Buchanan county. A divorce decree was granted Jan. 5, 1954. He had one daughter by his first marriage who is now living with her mother in California.

Tudor was the plaintiff in his divorce case and charged cruel and inhuman treatment.

Tudor is the son of Mrs. Frank Ball of Bremer.

Merritt was born Aug. 26, 1923, in Marion, the son of Andrew and Eleanor Merritt, now of Walker.

During World war II he served with the first marine division in the Pacific and was awarded a Purple Heart medal.

In addition to his parents and three sons, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. W. T. Henderson, Coggon, and Mrs. Homer Krichner, Chicago, and three brothers, Harold, Paul and James, all of Walker.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the United church, Walker. Burial will be in the Walker cemetery. Friends may call at the Sarchett-Murdoch funeral home, Walker, after noon Thursday.


NOTE: The Gazette printed a correction in an article January 5, 1956:

"The Gazette erroneously reported that she [Mrs. Tudor] was employed by the Point Inn while in Center Point. She was never employed there."

Cause of death: at Winthrop, Buchanan Co., IA, Shot by the jealous second husband of his wife, Charles Tudor. He was buried in January 1956 at Walker Cemetery, Walker, Linn Co., IA, Findagrave #117431929.

     Gordon Ray Merritt was also known as "Gordy". He was born on 22 July 1970 at St. Louis, MO. He was the son of Gordon Lee Merritt. Gordon Ray Merritt died on 25 July 2013 at Marion, Linn Co., IA, at age 43

Obituary -- The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Monday, 29 JUL 2013; Page M11; (Newspapers.com):

Gordon "Gordy" Ray Merritt, 43, of Marion, passed away suddenly at his home Thursday, July 25, 2013. Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. The family will greet friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at a later date at Walker Cemetery, Walker, IA.

Survivors include his wife, Angela; three children, Corey, Hannah, and Zachary; his mother, Linda; and siblings, Mike, Kristine, and Revette.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Lee; his grandparents; uncles; and other relatives and friends.

Gordy was born July 22, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri to Gordon Lee and Linda Merritt. He moved to Cedar Rapids in 1973. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1988. He worked at Dee Electronics, Centro Inc, and for the past almost 14 years at PMX Industries as a caster.

Gordy was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He will always be remembered for his love of riding his Harley, his love of music, his hardworking ethics, and his love of life. He was a strong man. He will be so dearly missed.

"This is how I would die into the love I have for you: As pieces of cloud dissolve in sunlight." -Rumi

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Gordon's memory.

To send flowers to the family of Gordon Ray Merritt, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

He was buried in July 2013 at Walker Cemetery, Walker, Linn Co., IA.

     John William Merritt was born on 23 February 1806 at Ovid, Seneca Co., NY. He married Caroline Dunlop in 1856. John William Merritt died on 1 December 1886 at Olin, Jones Co., IA, at age 80

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

JOHN MERRITT, farmer, Rome Twp., Sec. 3; P.O. Olin; born in the town of Ovid, Seneca Co., N.Y., in 1806; removed to Orleans Co., and then to Lockport, and then to Cattaraugus Co., and December 11, 1836, started for Iowa; owns 754 acres; he took up a claim, built a log cabin, and sold his team and returned by the way of St. Louis and the Ohio River to New York; started in the fall of 1837 for Iowa; arrived at Clinton, Iowa, where he remained until November 9, 1837, when he came to Jones Co. In politics, Republican; in religion, Methodist. Has been School Director, Trustee, Road Supervisor; was the first Road Supervisor in this part of the county. His first wife, Catherine Culp, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800; came to Niagara Co., N.Y., and married September 30, 1827; died December 14, 1835, and left seven children—Horatio, Agnes, Joseph, Jerome, William, Dollie (deceased) and Cornelius. His second wife, Caroline Dunlap (was the Widow Harvey), was born in Pennsylvania; married Mr. Merritt in 1856 and had seven children—L. V. (now Mrs. Hay, of Jackson Township), Malinda (now Mrs. Berely, of Jackson Township), Elmer, Deligha, Hiram Sherman, Charles Willis, Cordelia.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 649.

He was buried in December 1886 at Merritt Cemetery, Jones Co., IA, Findagrave #34833142.

     Lillian Nadine Merritt was born on 16 November 1933. She married Ray Alton Rains. Lillian Nadine Merritt died on 4 January 2000 at age 66. She was buried in January 2000 at Midway Church of Christ Cemetery, Cannon Co., TN, Findagrave #38948758.

     Mary Delilah Merritt was also known as "Lila". She was born on 11 February 1863. She was the daughter of John William Merritt and Caroline Dunlop. Mary Delilah Merritt married Wilbur Ellsworth Tallman, son of John Commadore Tallman Jr. and Lucinda Lowe, on 20 April 1886 at Anamosa, Jones Co., IA. Mary Delilah Merritt died on 30 July 1924 at Rome Twp., Jones Co., IA, at age 61. She was buried in August 1924 at Green Center Cemetery, Morley, Jones Co., IA, Findagrave #37447663.

     Rachel Antes Merritt was buried in 1930 at Butterfield Cemetery, Butterfield, Missaukee Co., MI, Find A Grave Memorial# 80041710. She was born in September 1860 at Ohio.¹ She married Joseph Linaberry Pace circa 1883.¹ Rachel Antes Merritt died in 1930 at Missaukee Co., MI.

     Raymond Dean Merritt was also known as "Spooky". He was born on 21 January 1947 at Buchanan Co., IA. He was the son of Gordon Ray Merritt and Marie Ileanna Dye. Raymond Dean Merritt began military service Vietnam War service, U.S. Marine Corps, rifleman and radio operator. He died on 17 March 2007 at Hiawatha, Linn Co., IA, at age 60

Obituary (Findagrave.com):

Raymond Dean Merritt, 60, of Hiawatha, IA, passed from life on March 17, 2007 at home with friends and family after a three year battle with cancer. At Rays request, Graveside services 10:30 a.m. on March 19, 2007 at Center Point Cemetery by the Rev. Del Bear. Military honors by Center Point American Legion Dye Benion Post #297.

Ray "Spooky" Dean Merritt was born Jan. 21, 1947 in Independence, the son of Gordon R. and Marie (Dye) Merritt. Ray served in the Marine Corps as a rifleman and radio operator in Vietnam.

Ray enjoyed fishing, Nascar and being with family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Dawn Marie of St Louis, brothers Gordon of Hiawatha, Tony of Cedar Rapids and Mike of Beaver Dam, WI, plus many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The family wants to thank Mercy Hospital Hospice for helping them through this time.

He was buried in March 2007 at Center Point Cemetery, Center Point, Linn Co., IA, Findagrave #152330259.

     Ronald Dee Merritt was also known as "Rooter". He was born on 21 January 1947 at Independence, Buchanan Co., IA. He was the son of Gordon Ray Merritt and Marie Ileanna Dye. Ronald Dee Merritt began military service on 29 July 1965 Vietnam War service, released 21 JUL 1968. He died on 10 August 1995 at St. Louis Regional Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, at age 48

Obituary -- The Gazette; Cedar Rapids; Iowa; Sunday, August 13, 1995 (GenealogyBank.com):

Ronald Dee Merritt, 48, of St. Louis, formerly of Center Point, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 1995, in St. Louis Regional Medical Center after a long illness. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Murdoch Funeral Home, Center Point, where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Jack Kendall will officiate. Burial: Center Point Cemetery.

Survivors include three daughters, Missy Merritt, Tammy Counts and Lori Merritt, all of St. Louis; a son, J.R. of St. Louis; his mother, Marie Abeln of St. Louis; his grandmother, Eleanor Merritt of Walker; four brothers, Gordon and Raymond Merritt, both of Cedar Rapids, Bruce "Tony" Tudor of Cedar Rapids and Mike Tudor of Bever Dam, Wis; and four grandchildren, all of St. Louis.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, Gordon R. Merritt.

He was born Jan. 21, 1947, in Independence to Gordon and Marie Dye Merritt. Ron served in the Army with the 1st Infantry Division during the Vietnam war.

"Rooter" will be greatly missed by family, friends and special friends, Joann, L.C. and Charlie.


The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tuesday, 21 Jan 1997; Page 8; (Newspapers.com):

Ronald D. Merritt
1/21/47 -- 8/10/95

Wonderful son. Loving father. Caring brother. Loyal Vietnam veteran. Gave with little to give. Understood when no one else could.

Your light shines over us all. Shine on Bro.

Thinking of you on your 50th.

---- Mom, John, Gordy, Ray, Tony & Mike.

He was buried in August 1995 at Center Point Cemetery, Center Point, Linn Co., IA, Findagrave #152330237.

     Ruth Merritt was born in May 1694. She married Jacob Lincoln. Ruth Merritt died on 16 October 1721 at age 27.

     Charlene Merryman was born circa 1922 at Pottawatomie Co. (probably), KS.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Price Merryman and Paulina E. Young.¹

     Charles Price Merryman was born on 12 January 1898 at Louisville Twp., Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ He was the son of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹
Note: draft registration. Charles Price Merryman married Paulina E. Young, daughter of George Young and Louisa (?), circa 1921.² Charles Price Merryman died on 26 January 1992 at Pottawatomie Co., KS, at age 94.

     Elmer Williams Merryman was born on 7 September 1903 at Louisville Twp., Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ He was the son of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹ Elmer Williams Merryman died on 15 July 1970 at Pottawatomie Co., KS, at age 66.

     Florence Elizabeth Merryman was born on 18 November 1906 at Louisville Twp., Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ She was the daughter of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹ Florence Elizabeth Merryman married Theodore Carroll Nihart, son of Harry Lincoln Nihart and Cora Louisa Huggins, on 25 November 1925 at Manhattan, Riley Co., KS. Florence Elizabeth Merryman died on 13 January 1976 at Pottawatomie Co., KS, at age 69.

     Frances B. Merryman was born on 19 March 1899 at Louisville Twp., Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ She was the daughter of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹

     George J. Merryman was born on 3 February 1839 at Maryland.¹ He married Frances A. Powell.¹ George J. Merryman died on 10 February 1914 at Pottawatomie Co., KS, at age 75.

     Guy Merryman was born on 30 June 1901 at Louisville Twp., Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ He was the son of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹ Guy Merryman married Lucelia (?). Guy Merryman died in March 1979 at Pottawatomie Co. (probably), KS, at age 77 dates per SSDI. He was buried in 1979 at Wamego City Cemetery, Wamego, Pottawatomie Co., KS.

     Helen Mary Merryman was born on 14 September 1909 at Louisville Twp., Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ She was the daughter of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹ Helen Mary Merryman married Ora F. Bowman. Helen Mary Merryman died on 18 August 2001 at Pottawatomie Co., KS, at age 91.

     Lavone Merryman was born circa 1924 at Pottawatomie Co. (probably), KS.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Price Merryman and Paulina E. Young.¹

     Norman D. Merryman was born on 9 November 1922 at Louisville, Pottawatomie Co., KS. He was the son of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price. Norman D. Merryman began military service on 27 January 1943 WW II, enlisted, discharged 16 feb 1946. He died on 16 April 1989 at Shawnee Co. (probably), KS, at age 66 dates per SSDI.

     Ruth Merryman was born on 11 October 1911 at Louisville, Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ She was the daughter of William Bosley Merryman and Sarah Gehr Price.¹ Ruth Merryman married Ralph Glen Fridley, son of Wilbur Westley Fridley and Minnie Louise Wilkerson, on 15 April 1929. Ruth Merryman died on 26 July 1986 at Yakima Co., WA, at age 74. She was buried in July 1986 at Naches Cemetery, Naches, Yakima Co., WA.

     William Bosley Merryman was born on 23 December 1872 at Pottawatomie Co., KS.¹ He was the son of George J. Merryman and Frances A. Powell.² William Bosley Merryman married Sarah Gehr Price, daughter of William Baker Price and Mary A. Lemon, circa 1897 at Pottawatomie Co. (probably), KS.¹ William Bosley Merryman died on 23 August 1938 at Pottawatomie Co., KS, at age 65. He was buried in August 1938 at Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Pottawatomie Co., KS.

     Agnes E. Merschbrock was born in January 1899 at Iowa.¹ She married Henry Frank Menke. Agnes E. Merschbrock died in 1962. She was buried in 1962 at Gethsemane Cemetery, Ft. Madison, Lee Co., IA, Findagrave #160753271.

     Catharine Mersey was born on 24 January 1851 at Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. She married James F. Seislove on 7 October 1873 at Tiffin, Seneca Co., OH. Catharine Mersey died on 12 June 1914 at Tiffin, Seneca Co., OH, at age 63.

     Barbara Merslor was born on 13 April 1780. She married Jacob Wessler. Barbara Merslor died on 21 August 1838 at Miami Co., OH, at age 58. She was buried in August 1838 at Casstown, Miami Co., OH.

     Alonzo Witt Mertel married Cora Constance Moyer.

     William Frederick Mertel was born on 28 June 1914 at Strasburg, Adams Co., CO. He was the son of Alonzo Witt Mertel and Cora Constance Moyer. William Frederick Mertel married Edna Otho Frost, daughter of Ernest Elmer Frost and Lide Otho Gillmore, on 9 January 1940 at Oakland, Alameda Co., CA. Occupation: Worked for Shell Oil Co. for 40 years. William Frederick Mertel died on 21 October 1995 at Portland, Multnomah Co., OR, at age 81 Notes for WILLIAM FREDERICK "BILL" MERTEL:
OBITUARY - The Portland Oregonian, Wednesday, October 25, 1995, page C6
William Frederick Mertel
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 1995, in Valley Community Presbyterian Church, where he was a member.
Mr. Mertel died Oct. 21 at age 81. He was born June 28, 1914, in Strasburg, Colo. He worked with Shell Oil for 40 years and lived in the Portland area since 1948.
Survivors include his wife, Edna of Portland; son, King County Superior Court Judge Charles W. Mertel of Seattle; brother, Col. Ken Mertel of Smithfield, Va; and two grandchildren.
Arrangements: Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary,
Remembrances: Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or the church.

DEATH NOTICE - The Oregonian, Tuesday, Oct 24, 1995, page B-6

MERTEL, -- William F. "Bill"; FINLEY'S SUNSET HILLS MORTUARY 292-6654.

He was buried in October 1995 at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Denver Co., CO.

     Hans Jacob Merten was born at Müsen, Germany. He married Anna Barbara Wurmbach, daughter of Friedrich Wurmbach. Hans Jacob Merten died in 1693 at Müsen, Germany.

     Johann Jost Merten was also known as John Martin. He was born in 1691 at Müsen, Germany. He was the son of Hans Jacob Merten and Anna Barbara Wurmbach. Johann Jost Merten immigrated in 1714 to Germanna Colony, Orange Co. (now), VA.

     Occupation: Furniture dealer at New York City, NY.¹ Paul Mertitz was Lutheran.¹ He married Annie Adams, daughter of John Adams and Ann Elizabeth Stover, in June 1913.¹ Paul Mertitz lived in 1926 at 19 Pinehurst Avenue, New York City, NY.¹

     Edgar Mertz was born on 24 March 1883.¹ He was the son of Theodore Mertz and Mary Payton. Edgar Mertz married Eva Irene Hammer, daughter of George William Hammer and Mary Catherine Miller, on 7 February 1914.¹ Occupation: Farmer in 1926.¹ Edgar Mertz lived in 1926 at Polo, Ogle Co., IL.¹ He died in June 1969 at Polo, Ogle Co., IL, at age 86.²