Merle was born on April 8, 1939, near Victor, Iowa to William and Elsie Weisskopf Smith. He attended Victor schools and graduated with the Class of 1957 from Victor High School. On June 26, 1960, he was married to Connie Johnson at St. James Lutheran Church in Victor. The couple owned and operated a grain and livestock farm southeast of Victor. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Marengo and enjoyed fishing as a hobby. Survivors include his wife, Connie Smith of Victor; two sons, Neal (Paula) Smith of Brooklyn and Dave Smith of North English; three grandchildren, Jon, Caitlin and Jack Smith; and his mother-in-law, Darlene Smith of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eugene Smith. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to St. John's Lutheran Church of Marengo.