Merl Vestal (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Merl Dean Vestal, son of Floyd Orville and Asilee O. Williams Vestal, was born July 8, 1937, near Grovespring, Missouri. He departed this life Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in his home, near Conway, Missouri, at the age of eighty-one years, and seventeen days.
On October 5, 1958, he was united in marriage to Norma Faye Davis and to this union one daughter and four sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeffrey Don Vestal; three great-grandchildren, Griffin, Page, and Nicholas; two brothers, Junior and Dwayne Vestal; and five sisters, Winona Hendrix, Leota Green, Leona Weaver, Catherine Green, and an infant, Wanda June Vestal.
Merl is survived by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Faye, of the home; a daughter Deana Williams, and her husband, Dean, of Morgan, Missouri; three sons, Joe Dean Vestal, of Conway, Missouri, Jerry Dale Vestal, and his wife, Sandy, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Jerrod Vestal, of Lenexa, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Deidra, Jennifer, Tammy, Christina, Nicole, Nathan, Christa, Corey, and Logan; eleven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverley Stokes, and Waynet Washington, both of Springfield, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Grovespring, Missouri area. He then moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he worked as a diesel mechanic for several years. After he and Faye were married, they made their home in Springfield and lovingly raised their family. In 1977, the family moved to the Morgan community and Merl continued to work as a mechanic in Lebanon. He worked for Superior Ready Mix and for Paul’s Auto Service until retiring.
Merl was saved and baptized at Grand Street Church in Springfield, Missouri.
In his spare time he enjoyed going to truck and tractor pulls, and working at the race tracks. He also liked watching Western movies. He had a keen sense of humor and was a bit of a jokester. He loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren places. Faye was the love of his life and he centered his life around her and their family.
Merl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friend will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his eighty-one years.
Memorial contributions to the Cuba Cemetery may be made through the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Merl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Merl?
Share a story where Merl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Merl you’ll never forget.
How did Merl make you smile?