White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Jesup – Merle J. Hershberger, 66 years old of Jesup, IA, died Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at his home following a freak accident.  He was born May 7, 1949, in Waterloo, IA, the son of Paul Gnagy Hershberger and Frances Henrietta (Ehr) Hershberger.

He graduated from Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville, IA, with the class of 1968 and attended Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo for 2 years. On August 5, 1978, he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Lippe in Waukon, IA. He was a US Army Veteran serving in Korea during the Vietnam War.  Merle was a self employed farmer and also owned and operated Hershberger Tiling in Jesup.  He was a member of St. Athanasius Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council #8227 in Jesup; Nugent-Demuth American Legion Post #714 of Gilbertville, IA; a member of the Land Improvement Contractors Association and Farm Bureau.

Merle is survived by his wife, Barbara of Jesup; one son Brian (Natalie) Hershberger; one daughter, Shelley Hershberger, and one granddaughter, Greyleigh all of Jesup; also, one sister, JoAnn (Kenneth) Seliger; two brothers, Marvin Hershberger and Roger (Kathleen) Hershberger all of Jesup.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  His parents and one sister, Donna Hershberger, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Saturday, July 18, 2015, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Jesup, IA, with burial in the church cemetery.  Military Rites will be conducted by Nugent-Demuth American Legion Post #714 of Gilbertville.

Visitation will be Thursday from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, where there will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 8:00 p.m., Thursday and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., Friday.  Visitation will continue for an hour before services Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the family and will be used to establish educational opportunities for students.