CLOUSE, Merlin

Vining Funeral Home Safford, Arizona Merlin Clouse September 21, 1934 ~ September 7, 2012 Merlin was born September 21, 1934 in Mesa, Arizona to William O. Clouse and Edith Jones Clouse. He was raised in Virden, New Mexico and lived most of his life there. Upon graduation from high school Merlin attended Brigham Young University for a short time before being drafted. He served in the US Army from April 1954 to April 1956 completing most of his tour of duty in Fairbanks, Alaska. When he returned to the lower states, he worked for awhile in San Manual, Arizona at the mine. Upon leaving the mine, he traveled to Texas with a friend where he met long legged, small waisted, nurse, Norma Jean Bailes. Merlin, Norma and her young son Guy Michael soon became a family. They were married August 24, 1957. For awhile, they struggled to make a decent living and then decided to move back to Virden. Merlin bought the family farm from his father. He essentially held two full-time jobs farming while also working for Hildalgo County Road Department. Norma was a nurse for Dr. Joe Lovett until she became Director of Nursing at the Lordsburg Nursing Home. Merlin, Norma and Guy Mike lived a happy life in Virden taking many wonderful vacations in Mexico with friends. In 1995 Norma was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery in Mesa. Upon returning to their home on May 6 they were awakened in the middle of the night by a couple who robbed them and set their house on fire. As a result of the fire, Norma died and Merlin was left alone. He lived for a short time with his nephew Kent Clouse, his wife Shelley and their family until he purchased a home in Safford. In 1997, Merlin met Carmaleta Stockton. They were married July 9, 1999. Among Merlin’s loves were his dogs. He always had at least one dog. His favorites were the Pomeranian who died in the fire, the little black poodle, Prissy who was his companion for fourteen years and his current “puppy”, Gigi. Merlin also enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren taking them on family picnics and trips to Tombstone, and the trips he and Carmaleta took to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and Yellowstone National Park. Merlin is survived by his wife Carmaleta , his son Guy Michael (Rhonda), sisters Jessie Mae Palmer of Farmington, New Mexico, Irene (Gordon) Pope of Winlock, Washington, sister-in-law Elizabeth Clouse, step children Cheryl (Don) Miller, Bambi (John) Wilson, Gordon Kay (Cassie) Stockton, Sarah (Tom) Stockton-Fischer; ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William O. and Edith Clouse, brothers Sterling, Charles, and baby brother Lawrence Clouse, brother-in-law Jim Palmer and sister-in-law Iva Clouse. Viewing will be September 14, 2012 at 10:00 - 10:45 am in the Duncan, Arizona LDS Stake Center. Funeral will follow at 11:00 in the Stake Center. Concluding services will follow at the Virden Cemetery in Virden, New Mexico.