Notes:
October 7, 1929, in Pierre, South Dakota, Merle was born to Pearl and Merna Telford. He was one of eight siblings including Marie, Phyllis, Iris, Arlene, Kenneth, Gene and Thomas.
In 1950, on August 4, in Hughes, South Dakota, he was 21 and married 18 year old Virginia Lou Spaid. They had two children, a girl and a boy.
Merle worked in heavy construction and in real estate for many years in Pleasanton. He was a community activist and served in the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and became a lifetime member of the Lions Club.
Merle loved his family, relatives, and friends dearly.
Feb. 2, 2016, in Concord, California, Merle Haas Telford passed away from Alzheimer's disease.
Merle is survived by his wife, Melda, two children, Linda (Jerry) Walton of Discovery Bay, Jim (Sally) Telford of Rapid City, South Dakota, one stepson, Lane (Debbie)of Santa Clarita, eight grandchildren, Amy Telford, Adam Telford, Aaron Telford, Justin (Danielle) Walton of Livermore, Scott (Tessa) Walton of Elk Grove, Steven (Debbie) Leavitt, Daniel Leavitt, and Rebecca Leavitt of Santa Clarita, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
He will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather and a friend to everyone he met.