Merle McGrane

Merle Vincent McGrane, born January 15, 1931 to Melbourne and Ellen “Nellie” (Riley) McGrane in Deerfield, Iowa, died peacefully April 10 surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia, IA with Fr. Brian Dellaert celebrating the mass. Burial will be at St. Boniface Cemetery in Ionia. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Ionia Funeral Home with a 4:30 PM Rosary and a 7:00 PM Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Saturday. Online condolences for Merle's family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family. In early life, Merle was a brother in the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Terre Haute, Indiana for 20 important and formative years. In 1968, he left the Holy Cross brothers and returned to reside with his mother on the family farm. During the summer of 1970, he visited his twin brother at the Ionia post office and met his future wife, Jane Meyers. They were married February 13, 1971 at St. Boniface church in Ionia, where he lived his entire married life. At church, he was proud to serve as a communion minister, cantor and lector. He and Jane also competed the Lay Ministry program through the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Before retiring, Merle owned and operated Merle’s LP Gas, among other businesses over the years. As a dedicated Catholic, Merle was known far and wide for saying prayers, particularly rosaries, for his family, friends and even strangers in need. He loved to spend time in his garden, and was especially proud of the heritage onions he grew. He avidly watched news and followed politics. During select seasons, he could usually be found in his favorite recliner watching baseball or football on TV (particularly Notre Dame) and never missed the Indy 500. Survivors include his wife, Jane, of Ionia, daughter Molly Pins (Mel) of Des Moines, son Jerry (Becky Schoer) of Dyersville and son Charley (Caitie McCauley) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and his sister Edna Cox of Urbandale, Iowa. Merle loved his grandchildren: Elizabeth, John, Brian, Laura, Maria, Daniel, Michael, Amelia and Henry. He was also a favorite uncle to numerous nieces and nephews, and loved by brothers- and sisters-in-law. Merle was preceded in death by his three sons, Joseph, Gerard and Andrew, his parents, brothers Walter, Lee and Earl, and sister Allene. The family wishes to express thanks for the staff at Mercy Hospital in New Hampton, the ambulance crew, the Mercy Hospital Mason City Critical Care nurses and staff, and his numerous doctors and caregivers. He was also an organ donor, and the family encourages you to consider the same. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or garden in Merle’s honor.