Dr. Mearl A. Kilmore, 79, of Urbandale, passed away on October 27, 2016, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines. Local arrangements entrusted to Iowa Cremation - Waukee.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel; his children, Renee Schon and husband Kevin of Glidden, Alan Kilmore of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Donna Kilmore and her partner Narayana Wilson of Catonsville, Maryland. Mearl is also survived by his grandchildren Brittany Becker (husband David), Hallie Golay (husband Andy) Traer Schon, Talia Schon, Forrest and Zinnia Wilson. Also, great grandchild: Bryce Becker. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Alice McCauley.
Mearl was born on January 24, 1937, in York County, Pennsylvania the son of Weir and Evelyn Kilmore. On September 4, 1957, he was united in marriage to Hazel C. Derr and their marriage was further blessed with their three children.
Mearl received his B.S. from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA in 1957; and later his M.S. and Ph.D. from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. For the majority of Mearl’s career, he was a professor of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Des Moines University where he was appointed Department Head for many years. Mearl had numerous memberships in professional organizations throughout the country including Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, Iowa Public Health Association, Iowa Physiological Society, and the Iowa Academy of Sciences. He also served his community in several volunteer positions that benefited public health, the academic community, and the Urbandale school district. Mearl contributed to varied medical publications including national journals and textbooks.
Mearl enjoyed traveling with his wife as well as coin collecting. Above all, his greatest enjoyment was time spent with his beloved family.
In Mearl’s honor, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association of Iowa or to Care Initiatives Hospice.
