Merle Bensley

Merle Bensley, 80, of Indianola, passed away Monday, December 19, 2022, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel with a visitation held one hour prior. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Merle Dean Bensley was born in England, Arkansas on March 5, 1942, the son of James and Alma (Bisby) Bensley. He worked in the auto industry for many years and owned his own shop, A-town Auto. He loved to garden and took very good care of his yard. Merle enjoyed going to truck pulls and running his truck, Ole Smokey. You could always find him tinkering in his garage or outdoors fishing and camping. He loved the outdoors. Merle especially loved his family and time spent with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Alma Bensley; daughter, Becky Keenan; and grandson, Matthew Barnett.

Merle is survived by his wife, Cathleen Barnett; sons, Jerry (Carrie) Bensley, Timothy (Melissa) Barnett, James (Suzie) Bensley, Merle Jr. (Amy) Bensley, Larry (Judy) Bensley, and Donnie (Suzanne) Bensley; daughters, Denise (Jose) Machorro and Lisa Bensley; brothers, Gary Bensley and Harvey Bensley; 70 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and special niece, Marie Hein.