Merwin Frederick Zilk, 91, of Porter, Texas, formerly of Evansdale, died Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Kingwood Medical Center in Kingwood, TX. He was born September 10, 1924 in Riceville, Iowa the son of Frederick William and Ethel Mary (Motley) Zilk. He married Maxine Moe on August 6, 1950 in LeRoy, Minnesota; she preceded him in death on December 2, 1995.
Merwin (Merv) worked hard all his life. He was employed at the Lumber yard and Egg Hatchery in LeRoy Mn before his move to the Evansdale/Elk Run Heights area. In Waterloo he worked for Rath’s as a ham boner for many years and also held part time jobs; building houses in the Elk Run Heights neighborhood, cleaning and maintenance at the Cattle Congress and working for several farmers. He was a farmer at heart. He worked in the John Deere Truck Shop for 15 years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946. Merwin was never idle. He served several terms as a deacon at First Reformed Church of Evansdale, and taught Sunday school a few times. He was a member of the Friendship Methodist church in Porter Tx. and also attended services and all kinds of activities with his special friend Louise Haddock at her church and in the mission.
Merv was a collector of many things; rocks, coins, cars, airplanes and farm toys especially John Deere tractors. He also seemed to collect friends everywhere he went. It is worthy of note that he also collected the trash cans of everyone in the neighborhood and returned them to their designated places on trash days. At age 90 he said he was retiring from that self appointed job but continued to do most of the houses on his street and also on Louise’s street. This “work” paid off in people giving him their cans for recycling.
Merv loved riding his bike, playing cards, listening to music, and visiting with people. He had a great sense of humor. He was an expert driver and taught his sons and some of his grandchildren to drive. He always knew not only where his car was at but also where each tire was. If you put a coin in the driveway and said stop the right front tire on that coin he could do it.
Merwin was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Survived by; three sons, Michael (Roxanna) Zilk of Waterloo; William (Lauren) Zilk of Little Rock, Arkansas; David Zilk of Porter, TX; two daughter, Donna (David) Maas of Knoxville, Iowa, Rebecca (Tom) Ortner of Porter, TX; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: his parents; his wife; one brother, Charles Zilk and one sister, Wilda Workman.
Services: will be held in Porter TX at 10:00 with visitation At 9:00. There will also be services in Waterloo at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation at noon and a gathering at New Life Fellowship church in Elk Run Heights following the services Friday, April 15, 2016 at Garden View Chapel. Family will receive friends one hour before the service. Entombment will be held in the Garden of Memories Cemetery Mausoleum.
Memorials: may be directed to the family to be distributed to several charities in his name.
Rosewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements in Porter Texas. Online condolences may be left at www.Rosewood.cc
Garden View Chapel is in charge of arrangements in Waterloo IA. 391-232-222. Online condolences may be left at www.kearnsfuneralservice.com











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