Merritt D. Woodley

Merritt D. Woodley, 87, of Winterset, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, November 12, at the First Christian Church in Winterset with Rev. Kevin and Rev. Sue Blader officiating. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites and Military Honors. He was born on October 22, 1929, at Casey, Iowa to M. B. and Effie (McCullough) Woodley. After graduating from high school and attending trade school, Merritt enlisted in the US Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. On April 6, 1958 he married Phyllis Kilpatrick at Winterset. To this union were born two sons, David and Doug. Merritt had been a resident of Winterset since 1958, having worked at the Winterset Post Office for 30 years and then working for the Winterset Community School District in the transportation department for another 10 years. He was a 65 year member of the First Christian Church, 50 year member of the American Legion, a 32nd Degree Mason and proud 50 year member of Evening Star Masonic Lodge #42 in Winterset, a member of the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory, the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Des Moines, and the Winterset Lion’s Club. Merritt is survived by his wife, Phyllis Woodley of Winterset; sons, David Woodley of Bloomington, IN and Doug (Carrie) Woodley of Montrose, MN; and grandson, Darin Woodley of Bloomington, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, M. B. and Effie (McCullough) Woodley; brothers, Mervin Woodley and Ronald Woodley; and sisters, Velma Estell and Fern Petersen. Visitation will be Friday from noon to 8 PM at McCalley-Collins Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 PM. Memorials may be directed to the First Christian Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by McCalley-Collins Funeral Home in Winterset. Online condolences may be left at www.mccalleyfuneralhome.com.