DELBERT “DEL” ALLEN MERRITT, 69

Washington County native Delbert “Del” Allen Merritt, 69, of Gering, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at his home with his family at his side.

Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 10 at Gering First United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Rowe officiating.

A family gravesite service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Allen Family Cemetery in Blair, followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service at the Blair First United Methodist Church.

Delbert Allen Merritt was born Sept. 24, 1933, in DeSoto to Charles and Gertrude (Allen) Merritt. He was a graduate of Valley High School, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Alpha Zeta honorary fraternity, Block and Bridle Club, and the University 4-H team.

He was a member of the Senior Livestock, Meats, and Dairy Products Teams while in college. This interest continued, as Mr. Merritt served as a livestock and registered quarter horse judge for many years.

He was a commissioned officer through ROTC, and was a member of the Gering United Methodist Church.

In 1956, he married Shirley Slagle of Grant. The couple lived in Sioux Falls, S. D.; Estherville, Iowa ; and Worthington, Minn., before moving to Gering in 1972. He was a cattle buyer for Iowa Beef Processors for 30 years before becoming manager and part owner of Minatare Feed lot.

He bred, raised and showed quarter horses and Maine Anjou show cattle. Because of his strong 4-H background, he instilled that interest in his children, grandchildren and other youth.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Tammy Merritt of Lincoln; Jason and Vye Merritt of Mitchell; Clark Merritt of Gering ; and Maureen Merritt of Alliance; daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Billy O’Connor of Paxton; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Adele Givens of Sun City, Ariz.; and Ann and Gene Denker of Elkhorn; brother-in-law, Walter Murphy of Atlantic City, N.J.; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Charlotte.

Memorials are suggested to the Scottsbluff County 4-H Council; Prairie Haven Hospice; or Gering First Methodist Church.

Gering Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.