Merle Davis

Merle Davis of Oakland, Iowa passed away March 24, 2011 at the Griswold Care Center.

Merle was born March 27, 1912 to Olive and James Bolton of Belknap Township. Recollections of her family and growing up on a farm near Oakland were frequent subjects of articles she wrote for newspapers.

Always eager to learn, she entered a one-room country school when she was only four years old. Her head start allowed her to graduate from high school at fifteen years of age. She took another year of schooling before going to Drake College for two years to become an elementary school teacher. In later years she fondly recalled teaching first grade at Carson.

Marriage to Lloyd Davis in 1932 was the beginning of a career as a farmer's wife on the Will-a-Dell farm west of Oakland, raising hogs and purebred Shorthorn cattle. A son, Craig, was born in 1941 and soon she was involved in 4-H projects and school events.

Ever proud to be part of rural Iowa, Merle distinguished herself as curator of the Nishna Heritage Museum, where she devoted herself to preserving the history of Southwest Iowa. In addition to becoming an expert on antiques, she enjoyed reading and reviewing books for local groups. For many years she taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church, was active in Farm Bureau and Eastern Star, and served as a 4-H leader.

Merle is survived by her son Craig and his wife Lori of Plymouth, Michigan, their three daughters Kristi Davis (Dexter, Michigan), Cindy Hewitt (Los Angeles) and Jennifer Davis (Cincinnati), and three grandchildren Kieran and Kara Young and Hayley Hewitt. She was preceded in death by husband Lloyd and brothers Dale and Chester Bolton.

A celebration-of-life service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church or the Nishna Heritage Museum in Oakland.