Merle 'Toad' Stanley Sedore Obituary (1939

Merle "Toad" Sedore, 78, of Eldon, IA passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Eldon Depot Museum in Eldon, IA. A processional will leave the Eldon Depot Museum at noon and arrive at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa, IA at 12:30 p.m. for a graveside service with military honors. Following the graveside service, friends and family are invited back to the Eldon Christian Church for a luncheon and time of fellowship. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Eldon Depot Museum. Memorials may be mailed directly to his daughter, Tanya Fordyce, 126 Turkey Rd., Fruitland, IA 52749. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Merle Stanley Sedore was born October 20, 1939 in Wapello County, IA to Wallace and Juanita Daub Sedore. He grew up and attended school in Eldon, graduating with Cardinal High School Class of 1958. Immediately following high school, he began working for the Rock Island Railroad until being drafted by the United States Army. His service took him many miles from home, and his parents would send letters, as well as encouraging others they knew to do the same. A letter sent from Sharon Rosson of Silvis, IL started a relationship that would last over 50 years. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to work on the railroad as a brakeman/conductor. He and Sharon began dating, and while Merle traveled with the railroad, Sharon worked at a restaurant called the American Caf right near the railroad station in Silvis, IL. On November 26, 1966, Merle and Sharon became husband and wife in the front room of Sharons parents house in Silvis. It wasnt long until they became loving parents to a daughter, Tanya. Shortly after Tanya was born the family moved back to Eldon where their second daughter Crystal was born. When the railroad left town, Merle went back to trade school at Indian Hills for sheet metal and refrigeration. He worked several years for Davis Refrigeration before deciding he needed a change. He returned to Indian Hills where he took the truck driving course and was the top of his class. He began driving for CRST where he spent eight years before following his dream of driving for Wal-Mart. Merle became a part of Wal-Marts Million Mile Safe Driver Club during his twenty years with the company. After retirement, Merle continued to fill in for the company as a driver, but also found more time to go on cruises with Sharon and their friends. He loved spending time on his motorcycle. Merle and Sharon participated in many charity rides for the Childrens Miracle Network. He was proud of his 1939 Ford Coupe that was the actual vehicle that he had learned to drive as a child. Merle was also a member of the American Legion and the Eldon Fire Dept for several years. He served as an active member of the Eldon Depot Museum Board, helping to see it through to the wonderful attraction that it is today. He was always willing to open the museum, whether it was to let a family or group in for a tour, or to let his friends in for a morning cup of coffee. Merle loved his family and enjoyed watching it grow through the years. He was always willing to help and knew how to do almost everything. His presence will be deeply missed by his family, and the many friends he made along the way. Merle was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Merwyn Sedore. Left to share his story is his loving wife, Sharon Sedore of Eldon, IA; two daughters, Tanya (Steve) Fordyce of Fruitland, IA and Crystal (Tony) Thompson of Batavia, IA; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Brandon) Williams, Shayla Fordyce (Dallas Gilleland), Shad Fordyce, and Courtney Sedore; one great granddaughter, Quinn Williams as well as many extended family and friends.