Merald Dwaine Hein, the son of Leslie Leonard Hein and Minnie Blanche (Whitehead) Hein-Holmes, was born on February 4, 1927 in Dunlap, Iowa. He passed away on March 15, 2015 at the Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 88 years, 1 month and 11 days.

Merald grew up in Dunlap, Iowa, then his family moved to Shenandoah when he was a sophomore. He graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1944.

On August 14, 1949 he was united in marriage to Anne Anderson at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak, Iowa.

Merald farmed all his life, started at his parents home, then Stanton, later bought a farm in the Emerson area, then retired to Shenandoah in 1993.

He was a member of the Emerson Community Club, Board of Directors for Farmer's Mercantile, and Community of Christ Church. He played guitar with friends, the Norris's and Klepinger's, at various church events. He enjoyed traveling, playing golf and a good game of cards. He was also quite the teaser.

Merald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Virgil, Paul, Robert Wiley, and nephew Tracy Hein.

He is survived by his wife Anne Hein of Shenandoah, Iowa; daughters Jacque Baxter and husband Jack of Shenandoah, Iowa, Nancy Van Dyke and husband Merle of Springfield, Nebraska and Diana Greve and husband Dave of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren Joel and Jennifer Baxter, Jamie and Matt Smith, Ashley and Dustin Foral, Derek and Kate Van Dyke, Anna and Andrea Greve; four great-grandchildren; a brother Vernon Hein of Lake Forest, Illinois; sister-in-law, Margaret Hein, Essex, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be directed to Community of Christ Church Chairlift / Driveway Fund or Alzheimer's Association Greater Des Moines Chapter.

Burial will be held at the Essex Cemetery in Essex, Iowa.