William F. Merschman, 93, of West Point, died Sunday, July 11, at his home.
He was born Jan. 29, 1928, in Lee County, a son of Henry J. and Agnes W. (Rauenbuehler) Merschman. On April 23, 1949, he married Bernice Elaine Mettenburg in Houghton. They were married almost 70 years.
Bill farmed for six years on his grandfather’s farm. In 1954, Bill and Bernice, established Merschman Seed Company, now known as Merschman Seeds, Inc., and it remains under family management.
He was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church in West Point; West Point Knights of Columbus – served as past Grand Knight; West Point Community Club – served as past president; Marquette School Board – served as past president; and Fort Madison Elks Lodge. He served as co-founder and vice-president of Merschman Fertilizer LLC, served as co-founder and chairman of Agrineed, Inc.; served as chairman of Lee County Bank; and served as past chairman of Wolf Packaging Corporation. He was a founding member of the Iowa Soybean Association and served on numerous agricultural boards at the state and national level.
Bill enjoyed working with Merschman customers and employees, family time at his pond and cabin, and his pets.
Bill is survived by two daughters, Kathleen (John) McKillip and Jean (Greg) Humphrey, both of Fort Madison; three sons, Joseph (Barb) Merschman and Henry (Katherine) Merschman, both of Fort Madison, and George (Linda) Merschman of Springfield, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Megan (Jason) Glass, Brian (Dawna) McKillip, Julie (Eric) Duplessis, Jeff Merschman, Alex Stewart, Adam Stewart, Ashley (Collin) Bartels and Kaitlyn (Chris) Rude; nine great grandchildren, Samantha and Madison Glass, Peyton and Jayden Duplessis, Jacara Ivey, Haiden and Austyn Bartels, Kech and Avery Rude; many nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Clarence (Mary) Mettenburg.
