White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – William “Bill” Merle Ghere, 82 years old, of Maquoketa, Iowa, formerly, Independence, Iowa, died on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at the Crestridge Care Center in Maquoketa.  He was born on April 6, 1929, in Urbana, Iowa, the son of Merle Walter and Grace Edith (Derby) Ghere.  He graduated from high school in Independence.  On June 27, 1948, he and the former June Eloise Rosenstiel were married at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.  Mr. Ghere was a mechanic at Burkhart Ford for a time before he became a full time Fireman at the Independence Fire Department.  He retired in 1991.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.  And he also owned, rode, and tinkered with a series of 13 motorcycles during his lifetime.

Mr. Ghere is survived by his wife of 63 years, June, 1 son, Mikel (Janet) Ghere of Clear Lake, Iowa, 1 daughter, Cindy (Dale) Reck of Anamosa, Iowa, 4 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 1 sister, Pat (Lester) Cherry of Independence, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, Betty Maillie, and twin brothers in infancy.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence, Iowa, with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation after 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the church.

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.