MERLE WINN

11/11/1919 - 8/6/2005

Survived by: Daughters Virginia Lee Winn of San Jose, Nancy Albertson of Merced, and Son, Buff Winn of Portland, OR; Sisters, Bee Anderson of Columbia, MO, Frances Hunter of Sikeston, MO, Lee Kaempfer of Aledo, IL, Mary Dale Jones of Sanford, FL; and Brother Jim Magill of St. Louis, MO.; Grandchildren, Heather Flores, Amy Rowland, and Eric Albertson of Merced; and Great-grandchildren, Kimberly Flores, Joe Flores, Jr., Samantha Rowland, Nicole Rowland, and Coleman Rowland of Merced.

Merle was the sixth of nine children born to Arthur and Ethel Magill of Cape Girardeau, MO. Merle graduated from Southeast Missouri University, where her father was a preeminent science professor. Merle moved rapidly through high school and college (graduating early from both) before becoming a teacher. Shortly after graduating, Merle was married to Buford (Curly) Winn, and after a few years she left teaching to become a mother and homemaker.

Merle and Curly lived in Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, and Utah, before moving with their three children to California in 1960. Merle and her family moved to Los Altos, CA, in 1962 where she resided for 42 years before moving to the Regent House assisted living facility in Merced, CA. Merle was a devoted and loving wife and mother, and was involved in a myriad of school and social programs in the communities where she lived, and she was particularly involved with the Community Association for the Retarded in Palo Alto, CA.

Merle enjoyed crossword puzzles, cards, and all manner of games, and was truly a whiz at TV’s Wheel of Fortune. Merle also enjoyed travel and she frequently accompanied Curly during his far-flung business trips to various locations in North America, and occasionally to South America, Europe, and the Middle East. After retiring, Merle and Curly were able to further enjoy travel to some of their favorite destinations in Hawaii and Southeast Alaska. During their later years, Merle and Curly enjoyed spending time at their quiet home in Los Altos, and visiting with their wonderful neighbors and friends.

Merle was a dedicated caregiver to Curly after he suffered a severe stroke in 1995, and provided him with the encouragement to make a remarkable rebound. Merle and Curly spent 64 wonderful years together before Curly passed away in October of 2002. During the last year, Merle was a resident of the Alzheimer’s wing at Regent House in Merced, CA, where despite her affliction, her spunky personality and wit made her a favorite amongst the staff. Merle was a lovely, caring, and humorous woman who deeply loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she will be profoundly missed.

A memorial service for Merle will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 26, at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church located at 950 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park, CA. The family prefers contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

MURIEL K. EARLE

Muriel K. Earle passed away peacefully in her Los Altos home on August 10, 2005 from a rapidly growing brain tumor at the age of 79. She was the beloved wife of the late David Earle. Her son Robert Earle of Sunnyvale, daughter Nancy Rogers and son-in-law John Rogers of Exeter NH and Susan Earle of San Jose survive her. She also left her two grandsons Jacob, 8 and Johnny, 3, also of NH, who were the apple of her eye. She was the loving sister to Delores and James Seitz of Rancho Santa Fe, CA and Charles and Eileen Krol of Lago Vista, TX and adoring aunt to her loving nephews and nieces.

She was an active member of and volunteer at the Los Altos United Methodist Church. She had previously volunteered at Allied Arts in Menlo Park. She loved to travel with her family and enjoyed having lunches with her friends. She was a dear to everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Memorial Services were held at the Los Altos Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 399 So. San Antonio Rd. in Los Altos on Monday, August 15 at 3:00 PM.