Merle Leslie

MERLE JAMES LESLIE Merle Leslie, 64, passed away as a result of an accident at his home in Atlantic, Iowa on June 25, 2010. Merle was born near Creston, Iowa, the son of James A. and Thelma (Grinstead) Leslie on August 22, 1945. He attended school in Cumberland and graduated with the Cumberland Massena Class of 1963. Merle was wed to Susan Ripperger in Atlantic, Iowa on February 14, 1987. The couple enjoyed raising their family of three sons. Merle was a member of ABATE - Districts 3 & 11 and HOG. He has held many offices in both organizations over a period of years. He was especially interested in Harley Davidson Motorcycles and actively enjoyed riding with friends. This would have been his twentieth consecutive year of attending Sturgis in South Dakota. He very much loved his dog "Beast,&" his family and his grand daughter Kate. Merle was known for extending his helping hand to family members, friends and neighbors in need. He had a kind heart and will be remembered for surprising loved ones with small, thoughtful gifts. He is survived by his wife Susan; his children, Jeremy Ripperger and wife Sarah and their daughter Kate of Bondurant, Iowa, Adam Leslie of Milwaukee and Derek Leslie of Atlantic; children by a previous marriage, Robert Leslie and Donna Davidson of Atlantic; his sister Marilyn Blanchard and husband Mike of Atlantic; nieces, Diane Borkowski of Atlantic, Amy Funk and husband Steve of Griswold and Tammy Leslie of Beatrice, NE; nephews, David Popp of Atlantic and Zachary Blanchard and wife Jessica of Westminister, Colorado; his parents-in-law, Norbert and Donna Ripperger of Indianola; sisters-in-law, Theresa Vitiritto and Marliss Dale of Indianola and Sharon Wiley and husband Tim and their son Steven of Carlisle. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Vernon Leslie; his nephew Gary Allen Popp; brothers-in-law, Eugene Popp and Mike Ripperger; his niece Jaime Riedel; and his nephew-in-law David Borkowski. Funeral InformationMerle"s funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 A.M., June 29 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. There will be open visitation Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 and 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Monday until the family will meet with friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Rolands on Monday, June 28. Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic, Iowa is caring for Merle"s family and arrangements. Condolences may be left in his guestbook at www.rolandfuneralservice.com. IN REMEMBRANCE MEMORY OFMERLE LESLIEBORNAugust 22, 1945 in Creston, IowaENTERED INTO REST At his home in Atlantic, IowaJune 25, 2010At 64 years, 10 months and 3 daysFUNERAL SERVICETen thirty A.M. on the morning of Tuesday, June 29, 2008Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Ken Davidson of theZion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, IowaMUSICAL SELECTIONS"When I Get Where I"m Going&"Kenny Chesney"Up Where We Belong&"Joe Cocker and Jennifeliane"Born To Be Wild&"Stephen WolfCASKET BEARERSJohn Porter Ivan Frizell Roger Burg Rabbi Decker David Popp Steve Curtis HONORARY BEARERS Jeremy Ripperger Adam Leslie Derek Leslie Tim Newman FLOWER COMMITTEEBrian and Christy Walker Jack and Jo Wagner Steve and Nancy CurtisINTERMENTFollowing the service the committal will take place at the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa For area church and cemetery directions, please click here:Church DirectionsCemetery Directions