Merton Lebaron

Masonic Rites by Crest City Masonic Lodge #522. Military Honors by Theodore J. Martens VFW Post #1797. No Visitation is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Shriners Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Merton Earl Lee LeBaron, 83, passed away peacefully May 12th, 2009 at his home with his son Mark and caregiver Dolores at his side in San Diego, California.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the Graceland Cemetery, in Creston, Iowa, Friday May 22nd. Directly following the services a reception will follow at the Knotty Pine Steakhouse, 1751 12 Mile Lake Drive Afton, IA .
Merton LeBaron was born January 12th, 1926, son of Mary and Kournis LeBaron, in Creston and attended Creston High School. He furthered his education in Liberal Arts programs and was an active band member both privately and in the Navy. Merton served in the Navy as a Sonarman Third Class in the Asiatic-Pacific, European-African and American Area receiving the World War II Victory Medal. He left the Navy in 1946.
Merton married Andrea Simonson and moved to San Diego, California where he started LeBaron Distributing Corporation, selling major appliances to dealers throughout the Southern California and Arizona areas.
Never forgetting his Midwest roots, Merton enjoyed frequent trips to Iowa and Minnesota where he owned a small fishing resort in Spicer, MN., on Green Lake where he spent many months with friends and relatives visiting throughout the summers. He was an active member, coach and president of local Little League Baseball in San Diego, and enjoyed all sports, enjoying professional baseball and football in San Diego. His passion for travel took him to many places throughout the world.
Merton was an active member of the VFW, Post 1797 in Creston as well as an active 60 year Shriner and member of the Crest City Lodge #522 as well as the Al Bahr Temple of San Diego, CA., frequently contributing to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, MN.
Survivors include his son Mark of San Diego, CA.; daughter Renee of Rancho Santa Fe, CA.; and 3 grandchildren, Maegan, Brooke and J.J.
Merton was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Kournis LeBaron of Creston, IA.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN. 55414, Att: Harriet.