Funeral services for Merle Mead, 77 of Norfolk, will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 1, 2022, at First Christian Church in Norfolk. Pastor Marshal Hardy will officiate. Burial will be in Wood River Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at First Christian Church. Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.
He passed away in Norfolk on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
Merle was born on March 19, 1945, the son of Ronald and Gladys (Roberts) Mead, in Wood River, Nebraska. He attended school and graduated from Wood River High School in 1963. After graduation, Merle worked at Zooks Welding in Cozad, NE. Merle moved to Omaha 1966 where he was employed as a welder with Gate City Steel.
He served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1965-1971.
On September 3, 1967, Merle married Ellen Stinemates in Cozad, NE. The couple made their home in Omaha.
Merle attended Omaha University from 1969-1970. The couple moved to Kearney in June of 1970 where he attended Kearney State Teacher’s College. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Education in December 1972 and his Masters of Science in Education in July 1975. During his college career, Merle was the national president of American Industrial Arts Association.
Merle taught at Kearney High School from 1973 to 1978. In 1978, they moved to Norfolk and Merle taught Welding/Fabrication at Northeast Community College. After 32 years of teaching, Merle retired.
In retirement, Merle built “College Hawk” the Northeast Community College mascot.
Merle enjoyed growing flowers, hunting, gardening and creating metal art works. He was most fond of spending time with his family.
Merle is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ellen; their three children: Ryan (wife, Nichole) Mead, and their children Maryn, Lane and Luke Mead, of Norfolk; Jonathon (wife, Andrea) Mead, and their children Mason, Evelin and Guerard Mead, of Dallas Center, IA; and Carrie (husband, Bill) Sheppard and their children Danica, William and Nolynn Sheppard of Norfolk. He is also survived by his siblings: Lloyd Mead (Doris Van Vleet), Ruth (Ron) Schuller, Charles (Judy) Mead, Beth (Cletis) Dobesh, Ron (Terri) Mead, George (Susie) Mead; sister-in-law, Elaine Wilson and brother-in-law Ed Stinemates; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Gladys; his in-laws, Lin and Marie Stinemates and brother-in-law, Eric Stinemates.
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