A funeral service for Mearl L. Ohrt was held Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sanborn. Rev. Gregg Johnson officiated.

Pallbearers were Daniel Ohrt, Michael Ohrt, Marshal Ohrt, Austen Gonnerman, Bryce Kelleher and Brytton Kelleher. Honorary pallbearers were Mearl’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Military graveside rites were conducted by Melvin American Legion, Reed Guthrie Post #470. Interment was in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Mearl Lee Ohrt, son of Edward and Florence (Peden) Ohrt, was born on Aug. 31, 1944, near West Branch. He spent his youth in the West Branch area before the family relocated to Monticello.

In October of 1962, Mearl began serving his country with the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. aboard the USS Kitty Hawk as a supply clerk. His tour of duty also took him to Vietnam for a time. Following his honorable discharge Mearl returned home in July of 1965.

On Oct. 2, 1966, Mearl was united in marriage to Alice Carol Otten at Anamosa. Eventually, three children would complete their family. The couple began their life together at Anamosa while Mearl operated the Ohrt Salvage. Later on they moved to Bloomfield, Neb., where Mearl managed a dairy farm. In 1983, Sanborn became their home and Mearl found employment at Harry’s Motors for several years. When circumstances presented him with the chance to work in the salvage business again, he took the opportunity and began renting the Vander Haag Salvage in Sanborn. After a time health issues dictated a slower pace so Mearl and Alice relocated to Melvin, until 2017 when Mearl became a resident at Prairie View Home in Sanborn.

Car racing, bowling and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes ranked top among Mearl’s favorite things to do. He raced cars himself from 1966 to 1972 and enjoyed building them with his sons and later his grandsons. In colder months, league bowling kept him occupied. He never missed going to state each year and made some good memories bowling with his son, Ramo, as well as his grandchildren.

Mearl passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at the age of 75 years, 11 months and three days. With his passing he once again joins his parents, Ed and Flo Ohrt; his mother-in-law, Jackie Otten; and daughter-in-law, Steph Kelleher.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Alice Ohrt, of Sanborn; children: Scott Ohrt, Ramo (RaeJean) Ohrt and Shelly Ohrt; eight grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three siblings; many cousins, other relatives and friends.