Merle Leon Heiskell

Merle Leon Heiskell, age 77 of Mansfield, passed away peacefully at his home on November 3, 2017 with his family at his side. He was born on August 21, 1940 in Dalhart, Texas, the son of Elmer Heiskell and Viola Ehart Heiskell. Merle married Jan Hook and they celebrated 52 years of marriage before his passing.

In addition to his wife, Jan, Merle is survived by daughters Merlene Dean and husband Bill and Mayle Riffe and husband John; grandchildren Chris Huereca, Lacey Correll and husband Andrew, Hayle Wheeler and husband Justin, Coy Dean, Ethan Riffe, Emma Riffe, and Grayson Riffe; great grandchildren Treyten and Tucker Correll; siblings Glen Heiskell, Gary Heiskell and wife Judy, Ruby Tharp. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Serene Kaye Aufleger, and three siblings Mary Day, Thurman Heiskell, and Jim Heiskell; brother-in-law Foy Tharp.

Merle grew up and spent his life working on his family’s 3000 acre farm in Dalhart. He was a dedicated and hardworking man, maintaining his crops of corn and wheat, as well as taking care of his family and homestead. In his spare time, Merle was a skilled woodworker and metal worker, enjoyed gardening, and antique cars. Merle’s creativity also allowed him to be an inventor of many tools to help on the farm, including patenting his invention of the Texas Tornado. Merle and his wife moved to Mansfield in 2016 to be closer to their family and retire, although he remained busy with his hobbies.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 7 from 6:00-7:30pm at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home in Arlington. Funeral service will be Wednesday at 3pm, also at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Emerald Hills Memorial Garden in Kennedale. A memorial service will be held for Merle on November 21, 2017 at 2pm at Lincoln Street Baptist Church, 1019 Lincoln St. Dalhart, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lincoln Street Baptist Church.