Services for Merle S. Newkirk, 89, of Fremont and formerly of Arlington, who died February 12, 1991 at his daughter’s home in Fremont, will be 2 p.m. Friday, February 15 at Fremont Alliance Church in Fremont, Rev. Eddie Masters will officiate.

Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.

Merle S. Newkirk was born July 22, 1901 on the family farm near Arlington. He grew up, farmed and was a cattle feeder in Washington County until retiring in 1974. After his retirement he moved to Fremont.

He served on the Washington County District 38 School Board, was a past president of the Washington County Mutual Insurance Co., past chairman of the Board of the Arlington State Bank and a past director of the Arlington Insurance Agency. He was a 66-year member of Hiram Lodge No. 52 A.F. & A.M. and was the Jordan Medal holder for the Lodge.

He was a member of the Fremont Alliance Church. He also served on their board.

He married Sarah Rasmussen June 30, 1926. She preceded him in death March 14, 1981.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Anson B. and Frances E. Barton Newkirk; two brothers, Vernon Newkirk and Edward Newkirk; a sister, Edna Andersen; a son, Robert; and a great-grandson, Michael Larson.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary (Mrs. Ted) Dimmitt, Fremont and Fran (Mrs. Darrell) Miller, Blair; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary (Johnnie) Anderson of Fremont.

Memorials may go to the Fremont Alliance Church.

Ludvigsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~