Merlin Hite, 69, of New Sharon passed away peace-fully Monday morning, June 3, 2019, at Oskaloosa Care Center. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 6, at New Sharon United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Sharon Fire and Rescue and North Mahaska Education Foundation.
Merlin Dean Hite, son of Lester and Helen (Piersel) Hite, was born Oct. 31, 1949, in Oskaloosa. He was a 1968 graduate of North Mahaska High School. After high school, Merlin worked for Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella and the Taintor Co-op before he was drafted into the United States Army. Merlin served in Germany for two years before he was honorably discharged. June 23, 1979, Merlin was united in marriage to Carol Vos in Oskaloosa. To this union four children were born: Jacque, Dustin, Darin, and Jill. Merlin farmed with his father on the family century farm near New Sharon and also drove grain truck. Following his father's death, Merlin continued to farm and worked for Mahaska County driving a gravel truck and maintainer. He enjoyed hunting, tractor pulls, spending time on the farm, collecting tractors, and above all spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a member of New Sharon United Methodist Church, Prairie Knolls, Farm Bureau, and the Taintor Co-op. Merlin served on the North Mahaska School Board during the time the new elementary school was built.
His legacy will be honored by his wife of nearly 40 years, Carol Hite of New Sharon; four children, Jacque (Jason) Murphy of O'Fallon, MO, Dustin (Kate) Hite of New Sharon, Darin Hite of Oskaloosa, and Jill (Cody) Schuring of Pella; five grandchildren, Tyson Murphy, Keira Murphy, Abigail Hite, Molly Hite, and Trenton Schuring. He is also survived by his siblings: Janet Ranfeld of Deep River, Curt (Pat) Hite of Pella, and Joyce (Darrell) Klein of Oskaloosa; two brothers-in-law, Gene Vos of Oskaloosa and Tim (Peggy) Vos of Naperville, IL; and many other relatives and friends.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Remington Schuring; a brother-in-law, Bob Ranfeld; and his in-laws, Glen and Rita Vos.
