Merle Duvall

Private family services: will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery


Merle Duvall, age 82, of Rozet, Wyoming died Friday, December 5, 2003 at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming of natural causes. Private family services will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota. Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home of Gillette has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Merle Miles Duvall was born December 1, 1921 on the family ranch near Rozet to James and Elsie (Weaver) Duvall. He was raised and educated in the Rozet area, graduating from Rozet High School in 1939. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Wyoming and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. Merle served in Europe during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1945. During his time in the Military, he was decorated with the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Merle married Pauline Gabera on January 23, 1943 in Paris, Arkansas. Together they made their home and raised their three children in the Rozet-Moorcroft area. Merle ranched most of his life and also worked in the area oil fields. He worked for True Oil Company for many years, retiring in 1979. Merle was a member of the VFW Post #8473 and First Presbyterian Church of Moorcroft, Wyoming.

Merle is survived by two sons: Lynn (Linda) Duvall of Rozet, Wyoming and Kirby (Diane) Duvall of Fort Collins, Colorado; one daughter, Sheila (Mark) Semlek of Moorcroft, Wyoming; two sisters: Marguerite Kummerfeld and Nadine Moser, both of Moorcroft, Wyoming; two brothers: Kenneth Duvall of Gillette, Wyoming; and Verlin Duvall of Rozet, Wyoming; thirteen grandchildren, four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 1995, two brothers, Carroll Duvall and James Clark Duvall and one sister Norma Lee Duvall.

A memorial has been established to benefit the Moorcroft Historical Museum. Donations may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82718. Condolences may be sent via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.