Merle 'Poulie' O. Poulson

Merle O. Poulson, 103, of Clarion, passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion.

Funeral services for Merle ‘Poulie’ Poulson will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 121 3rd Avenue North West in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Masonic Service beginning at 7:00 on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Merle Otis Poulson was born in Grant Township near Clarion to Everett Alonz and Dora Maria Poulson on May 6, 1916. He grew up in the same neighborhood and attended country school. Merle graduated from Clarion High School in May 1934.

Merle continued to help his father on the farm, until he was drafted into the Army on May 5, 1941 at Fort Des Moines. He served his country in the states and overseas in North Ireland, Tunisia, North Africa, Italy. He was wounded in Italy and started his return home from a tent hospital and live convalescent centers. He was transferred by ship back to the states and then by train to Shick Hospital in Clinton, Iowa in May of 1944. After Merle’s recovery, he was honorably discharged in October of 1944.

In December of 1946, Merle’s family moved to Clarion. Merle went to work for contractor Ben Heiden, wiring country homes and doing carpentry work. In January of 1956, Merle applied and worked at the Post Office for the next 25 years. He retired in June of 1981.

Merle was united in marriage to Eleanor Jean German on July 2, 1975 and enjoyed married life for 28 years. Merle was active and a life member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and Masonic Lodge and Shrine Temple in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

Merle is survived by Virginia Koonce of Bee, Nebraska, Marcia Murrow of Osage Beach, Missouri, and Lindsey (Belva) German of Clarion; grandchildren Robert (Michelle) Grage and family of Goldfield, John (Jenna) German and family of Belmond, Darcy (Guillermo) Hernandez and family of Marshalltown, Danielle (Chris) Shipley and family of Bee, Nebraska, Shane Boyington and family of Brownsburg, Indiana, Nick (Stacy) German and family of Clarion, Andrea Rogers and family of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Laura (Scott Curtis) Koonce of Daejeon, South Korea; nieces Carol Ann Ballanger of Marshalltown, Diane James and family of Houston, Texas, Cheryl Barniskis of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and nephew Dennis (Jo) Poulson and family of Dale City, Virginia.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and wife, Eleanor Jean.

Merle’s family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the VFW, American Legion, or Masonic Lodge in Clarion.