Merrill Deane Coates Jr, the son of Merrill D. and Alice (Wilkins) Coates Sr. was born March 23, 1935 in Red Oak, Iowa. He passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 78 years, 3 months and 23 days. Merrill was raised in Red Oak. While in school he participated in sports for the Tigers, graduating in 1953 from Red Oak High School. Following graduation, Merrill played baseball for the Red Oak Red Sox team and Coburg Blue Sox where he was an exceptional baseball pitcher until his pitching arm blew out. Merrill served in the Iowa Army National Guard in Red Oak. He worked for the Iowa Highway Commission from 1954 thru 1961. Merrill was united in marriage to Ailene I. Betts on June 15, 1956 in Red Oak, Iowa. In 1964, Merrill began a 49-year career at Williams Recreation in Red Oak, purchasing the business on October 1, 1981. He loved baseball, bowling, playing cards and was an avid reader. Merrill was a dedicated Nebraska Cornhusker fan and enjoyed fantasy football. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and past member of the Red Oak Elks Lodge. Merrill was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Clifton Paul Coates; sister, Suzie Wagaman; brother, Duane Wiley; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Gammell and Velma Means; and brothers-in-law: Melvin and James Betts. Merrill is survived by his wife, Ailene Coates of Red Oak, IA; daughter, Sheryl Schuler and husband Dan of Atlantic, IA; sons: Marlin Coates and wife Cheryl of Red Oak, IA; and Marty Coates and wife Bulinda of Red Oak, IA; 10 grandchildren: Tracey (Eric) Love of Waukee, IA; Chris (Joni) Kelley of Elliott, IA; Megan (Chad) Townsend of Omaha, NE; Matt Coates of Red Oak, IA; Alyssa (Austin) Duysen of Emerson, IA; Michael Coates of Sidney, IA; Tiffiney (Aaron) Baumgarden of Kansas City, MO; Chris Schuler of Kansas City, MO; Jenny (Keith) Collier of Gardner, KS; Tony (Shawnie) Cooper of Red Oak, IA; 9 great-grandchildren: Anna, Madison and Ashley Kelley; Alexandra Hurley; Easton Love; Mariah and Aleah Collier; Hunter and Keygan Day; brothers: Ed (Joyce) Spangenberg of Red Oak, IA; J.E. (Deana) Spangenberg of Red Oak, IA; Mike Babcock of Missouri; and brother-in-law, Bob Betts of Red Oak, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Red Oak. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak Rev. Len Taylor, Officiating Visitation with the family present on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home Family requests memorial in lieu of flowers to the First Baptist Church or American Cancer Society. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.