grave import

Obituary

Connie L. Merritt, 65, of Burlington, died at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, September 20, 2009, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. Born January 1, 1944, in Fort Madison, she was the daughter of Harley L. and Helen L. Helmick Glassford. On January 1, 1962, she married Donald L. Merritt in Fort Madison. He died July 9, 1993. Mrs. Merritt was a homemaker, and had been a secretary for Shawgo Realty. She was a 1961 graduate of Fort Madison High School. She was a member of Santa Fe United Methodist Church in Fort Madison, and the Everly Brothers Fan Club. She was instrumental in organizing the Fort Madison High School Class of ‘61 reunions. She enjoyed interior decorating, decorating for Christmas, visiting the beaches in Florida, the Everly Brothers, and other Rock-n-Roll music from that era, and collecting dolls and Fenton glass. Survivors include one daughter, Carrie Lynn Bloomer of Burlington; one son, Todd J. Merritt of Burlington; her mother of Fort Madison; two grandchildren; two brothers, Gary Glassford of Naples, Fla., and Donald Smith of Fort Madison; nieces and nephews; and special friend, James Cox of Moline, Ill. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her father and grandparents. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hass-Thielen Funeral Home in Burlington, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral for Mrs. Merritt will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hass-Thielen Funeral Home, with the Rev. W. Michael Biklen officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. A memorial has been established.