Obituary of Merritt S. Yeggy

Merritt “Buzz” Yeggy, 88, of Riverside, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at his home.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside.  Burial will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, with military rites by the Riverside V.F.W. Post 6414.  Following the committal services at the cemetery, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the St. Mary’s Parish Center.  Visitation for Merritt will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside with a 3:30 p.m. Rosary.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Riverside First Responders or St. Mary’s Church in memory of Merritt.  Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.  The Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Merritt’s arrangements and his family.

Merritt Sigmund Yeggy was born on May 22, 1930, in Washington County, Iowa, the son of Francis C. and Florence G. (Wadle) Yeggy.  He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School.  Merritt served with the United States Army during the Korean War.  On November 19, 1955, Merritt was united in marriage to Evelyn Robertson in Iowa City.  Merritt was a lifelong farmer, working long hours from sunrise to sunset.  He was a proud, hardworking man who never complained.  He woke early in the morning to chore, tending to his hogs, cattle and chickens.  He loved bringing new life into this world as calves and piglets were born.  From the day they were born, he treated his animals with tender love and care so they would grow big and strong.  When planting or harvesting, he cared for the land wanting to preserve it not only because he needed to use it year after year, but because he wanted to make sure the Yeggy Farm was healthy for his children and grandchildren.  Devoted to conservation, he was a believer in installing terraces, contour plowing, crop rotation, establishing waterways and buffer strips.   He was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Riverside V.F.W. Post 6414, Lone Tree American Legion 457, Knights of Columbus, Farm Bureau and Pork Producers.  He was a simple man, happy to have his farm and his family by his side, those two things made him cheerful every day!  He enjoyed playing euchre with his dear friends and family, attending grandchildren’s sporting events, the antics of his great grandchildren and a good home cooked meal.

 Merritt will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Evelyn of Riverside; his children, Larry (Cheryl) Yeggy of Riverside, Janet (Brian) Lewis of Oxford, Sharon (Steve) Rohret of Riverside, Carolyn (Jerry) Schnoebelen of Riverside and Dennis (Kelly) Yeggy of Chariton; ten grandchildren, Michelle (Jeremy) Richardson, Rachel (Casey) Clark, Matthew (Andrea) Yeggy, Jennifer Lewis, Samantha (Nathan) Boyd, Emily Lewis, Timothy (Melanie) Rohret, Thomas (Alana) Rohret, Ryan (Kayli) Yeggy and Bret Yeggy; nine great grandchildren, Livian, Wyatt and Emery Richardson, Violet Clark, Lane Yeggy, Brinley Boyd, Lauren Rohret, Kash and Klayton Yeggy and four sisters, Juanita Bushman of Iowa City, Bernadette (Duane) Lorack of Lone Tree, Roberta Yeggy of Lone Tree and Linda (Tom) Streb of North Liberty.

Merritt was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Zachary and two brothers, Eldon and Jim.