Ernest "Merrill" Willcutt

Ernest Merrill Willcutt, 95, of Keokuk, died at 3:58 am Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at Keokuk Area Hospital. Mr. Willcutt was born July 15, 1911 on a farm northwest of Storm Lake, Iowa the son of Ernest Chauncey and Eva Ann Bell Willcutt. He married Ruth Bailey on May 17, 1941; she preceded him in death on October 2, 1961. Later he marred Anna Sloop on June 9, 1962. He attended Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. His first job was with Lever Brothers at Hammond, Indiana. In 1940 he came to Keokuk to begin employment with the Hubinger Company as a process engineer. After working at the Hubinger Company he retired in 1976. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and during his active years he served as a lay leader and on many committees of the Methodist Church. He was Past President of the Rotary Club, served on the Graham Hospital Board at the time it became Keokuk Area Hospital and was a member of Pomegranate Lodge #408 Masonic Lodge at Alta, Iowa. He is survived by his wife, Ann Willcutt of Keokuk, Iowa; three sons, Gaylord Willcutt of Rochester, Minnesota, Eugene Willcutt...[more]

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Jasper, Indiana and Brian Willcutt of Keokuk, Iowa; one step-son, Robert Sloop, of Kennessaw, Georgia; four granddaughters and four step-grand children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ruth; 2 brothers; and one step-son, David Sloop. Funeral services were Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 10:30 am at DeJong's Funeral Home with Dr. Emmanuel Dass officiating. Burial followed at Sunset Memorial Park in Keokuk, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.