Francis Leon Gilmore

Francis "Mert" L. Gilmore, 86, of Perry, Iowa, died on June 10, 2024, at the Kavanaugh Hospice House in Des Moines, Iowa.

He was born to the late Harry and Leilah (West) Gilmore on September 18, 1937, at home in rural Linden, Iowa. He graduated High School from Washington Township Consolidated School, south of Perry, class of 1956.

Mert farmed all his life. He raised his first batch of hogs at the age of 16 and sold his last batch just a few months ago, marking 70 years as a hog farmer. He was named the Dallas County Master Pork Producer in 1984. He also raised corn and soybeans with his first crop at the age of 18. Mert loved to talk farming with family and friends, farming was truly the passion of his life.

Mert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ivan, Rolland and Lester, sister Eleanore Conner, and infant grandson, Aaron Gilmore.

Mert's legacy and memory will be cherished by his beloved partner of 32 years, Cathy Deardorff; his children: Christopher Gilmore of St. Petersburg, FL and daughter Lisa (Bob) Kempf of Jamaica, IA; Grandchildren: Christina (Curtis) Wilson of Guthrie Center, IA, Sarah (Trey) Cummings of Baltimore, MD, Jonathon (Erin) Kempf of Middleton, ID, Rachel Gilmore of St. Louis, MO; Great-Grandchildren: Lilah, Colt, Stella, Brooks, Eloise, Adaline, Dalen, Christopher, Patrick, Dominic, and Sienna; and several nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by many friends and will be forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, 9:00 AM. followed by a funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 1721 Park Street, Perry, IA. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Beaumont Avenue and 200th Street, Linden, IA at 11:00 AM. ( aka Prairie Center Cemetery). A luncheon to share memories of Mert will follow at Washington Township School, 15509-210th Street, Perry, IA.

The family has designated memorial donations to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in honor of the many dogs and cats Mert loved throughout his lifetime. The family also wishes to support EveryStep Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines for the brief but cherished care Mert received while there.