Merlen Fry

Merlen Gene Fry, 72, passed away peacefully at the Veterans Affairs Hospice Saturday, July 22, 2023. He was born in rural Grinnell, Iowa on March 26, 1951, to Jack (John) and Betty (Verwers) Fry. Merlen lived in Altoona and graduated from Southeast Polk High School. After high school, he moved to Chicago to attend college. Merlen was soon called to serve his country in 1971 to the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1976. In 1981, he married Jackie Fry and went on to have two children. In 1998, Merlen retired from Maytag after 31 years of faithful service. He enjoyed coon hunting with his decorated dog, Hoss, as well as showing mules with his decorated mule, Blackjack. You could also find Merlin in his garage grilling and rooting on the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Merlen is survived by his children, Lindsey Herting (fiancé, Brad Buck) and Merlen (Nichole) Fry II; grandchildren, Ella and Chase Herting; sister, Marti Rosenberger; other loving relatives and many special friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his children and his forever love, Jackie Fry; sister, Brandi Leverich and his brother-in-law, Harry Rosenberger.

The family will greet friends from 12 to 2 pm Monday, July 31, 2023, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th St SW. Funeral services will start at 2pm with burial to follow at the Altoona Cemetery where military honors will be rendered. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Masonic Lodge, 707 8th St. SE Altoona, Iowa 50009. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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