Services
Obituary
Merlyn W. Assink, 73, of Kanawha, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City.
Memorial visitation with family and friends will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Ewing Funeral Home in Kanawha. Burial will be in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha following visitation.
Merlyn, better known as “Speedy”, was born on May 2, 1952,at Belmond Hospital to the late Alfred and Genelle (Ruter) Assink. He grew up in Kanawha and graduated from Kanawha High School with the Class of 1971.
On October 19, 1973, Merlyn married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Yeakel, at Kanawha Methodist Church, beginning a devoted marriage that spanned 52 years.
Merlyn was well known throughout Kanawha and the surrounding communities for his skill and dedication as a tractor technician. He spent 30 years working at the local John Deere dealership, Broshar Implement, where he became known as a knowledgeable and highly respected mechanic. Due to health, he retired early in 2006. Never one to stay idle, Merlyn later finished his career hauling semi loads for local farmers and friends.
Farming was something always close to his heart. With the help of his friends, Merlyn was able to live out that dream, often lending a hand during fall harvest and enjoying time in the fields.
Merlyn was a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Kanawha Fire Department, where he proudly drove the tanker truck and served his community with commitment and pride. Waterball fights were one of his great memories with his fire department friends.
Outside of work and service, Merlyn had many passions. He loved drag racing and dirt track racing and spent time helping teams tune their cars. On Sundays, you could find him sitting in his garage watching NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt was his guy. He enjoyed cruising country roads while listening to oldies, especially his beloved Beach Boys. He was a loyal fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings. Merlyn was a devoted Husband, Dad, and Grandpa.
Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Genelle Assink; his mother-and-father-in-law Patricia and Oral Yeakel; brother-in-law Michael Yeakel; and beloved dog Tia.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Assink; son Matthew Assink of Kanawha; son Brandon (Renee) Assink of Grimes, and their sons Dawson and Drew; daughter Angie (Ben) Koester of Cedar Rapids and their daughter Addie; and sister Sonja Goetz of Mason City.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to MercyOne’s Critical Care Team for the amazing, dedicated, and compassionate care Merlyn received. As one final selfless act, Merlyn gave the gift of life through organ donation.