Merl Fanning Sr. was born May 7, 1937 in Dodgeville, Iowa. He passed away June 13, 2020 at home, at the age of 83.

He was preceded in death by parents; Robert L Fanning and Anna Fanning, Johnny Fanning, Mary Ann Sackett, Lila Froman, Earl Fanning, Lester Fanning, and Nancy Grissom.

Merl is survived by his wife of 60 years; Gwendolyn Fanning, a brother; Robert Joseph Fanning, his 6 children; Robert Dunn, Carol Foster, Lila Morgan, Diana Vedder, Tina Maxwell, Merl Fanning Jr., 15 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.