Merle McGinnis was born June 22, 1939. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2006.

Merle spent his youth in Albert Lea. He attended Ramsey School and Albert Lea High School. He left Albert Lea when he was 18 and became a hairdresser. He moved to Maryland and married Mirta Gutierrez. They had a daughter, Sandy, and she married Jay Standen. They have two daughters, Ashley, 18, and Cheyenne, 12.

He is also survived by his mother, Elaine McGinnis of New Richland; and three sisters, Donna Smith and her sons Terry, Larry and Danny and daughters Lori and Lisa, Deloris (Dee) Peterson and Kent Peterson and their son Rodney E. Peterson, and Julie and Scott Borg and sons Matthew, Michael and Kyle.

His dog, Mandy, was his constant companion. Merle always had music around him. He was happiest when he was telling stories and jokes. He’ll be fondly remembered for his contagious laugh and good looks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Merrill Lyn McGinnis, and two nephews, Ricky Smith and Randy Peterson.