Merlin H. Joens, age 75, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passed away December 26, 2007 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

FUNERAL SERVICE Saturday, 9 a.m. at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home in Council Bluffs. Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery with luncheon to follow at Epworth United Methodist Church. VISITATION with family Friday, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Heart Association. CUTLER-O'NEILL-MEYER-WOODRING Funeral Home 545 Willow Ave.

Merlin was born in Manning, Iowa on March 23, 1932, to the late George and Frieda (Jochimsen) Joens. He attended Manning High School through the Tenth Grade in 1948. Merlin was a truck driver for Pamida Co., for 17 years retiring in 1994 and a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna (Neubaum) Joens in 1989 {Donna graduated from Manning High School in 1949}; brothers, Elmer and Donald Joens: and sisters, Helen and Margaret Joens.

Merlin is survived by his wife of 15 years, Marlene R. (Lohmeier) Joens {Marlene graduated from Manning High School in 1951}; sons James Joens of Council Bluffs, Chris Joens of Omaha, Nebraska; daughters, Dianne Joens of Glenwood, Iowa; Martha Rief (Terry), Janet Joens and Sandra Carberry-Brayman, all of Council Bluffs; 6 grandchildren; 4. great-grandchildren: step-son, Bernie Olberding (Julie); step-daughter. Jody Price (Tom), all of Council Bluffs; 7 step-grandchildren and 1 step-great grandson; brothers, LeRoy Joens of Omaha, Ray Joens (Abie) of Sunset, Utah; sister, Letha Taylor of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces and nephews.