Merlyn Jay Sellers, 88, of Austin, Minn., died Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, at his home in Austin surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.

Merlyn was born Jan. 27, 1924, on a farm near Galt, Iowa, the son of Frank and Myrtle (Lord) Sellers. He graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1941. Merlyn enlisted in the U.S. Marines, proudly serving from 1943 to 1945 in the Pacific theater. On a roller skating blind date in 1943 he met DoLores Trumbull. On Dec. 30, 1945, they were married in Sheldahl, Iowa.

Prior to enlisting in the Marines, Merlyn had started working at the Austin office of the Geo. A. Hormel Co. in 1941. He returned to the company after serving his country and worked in the invoicing tabulating, industrial engineering and payroll departments. He retired as the manager of payroll in 1984 after a 43-year career.

Merlyn was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church. He had been a member of the American Legion, Cedar River Country Club, Acorn Golf Course, the Austin Golden Kiwanis and recently served on the Board of the Village Coop. He was a volunteer for the hospital auxiliary.

He enjoyed bowling and attended the ABC Bowling Tournaments around the country. Merlyn also enjoyed golfing, traveling and attending the U.S. Marines reunions annually. After retiring, he worked for over 15 years as an AARP Tax-Aide Volunteer. He was a Lifetime Charter Member of the World War II Memorial Society. He was an avid Minnesota Twins fan.

Merlyn was preceded in death by infant son Scott Jay Sellers, parents Myrtle and Frank Sellers, brother Lyle Sellers and sister Clarissa Moore.

He is survived by his wife, DoLores Sellers, Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Don VanGrinsven, Combined Locks, Wis.; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Diane Sellers, Paris, Ky.; daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Joe Cachiaras, Rochester, Minn.; five grandchildren, Jeremy VanGrinsven, Nicholas VanGrinsven, Kristen Cachiaras Williams, Jordan Cachiaras and Katie Cachiaras; three great-grandchildren, Peter, Adam and Michael VanGrinsven, with a fourth on the way; sister, Elsie Keyser, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray Sellers, Austin, Duane and Beverly Sellers, Roanoke, Va., Ethel Mae Sellers, Austin, nieces and nephews.

The Sellers family extends their heartfelt thanks to the nurses, aides and social workers from the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Austin Hospice Program for their care, concern and support during this time.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Brett Williams officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with Austin Post No. 91 American Legion in charge of military rites. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and for one hour before the service at the church on Thursday afternoon. Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.