Merle was born July 26, 1948, in Carroll, Iowa to Lloyd and Deloris (Aschinger) Wright.  Merle attended school in Carroll until 1962 and moved to Lake City in 1962.  He graduated from Lake City High School in 1966.

He then was drafted into the Army and in the Vietnam War and was honored with a purple heart, and Bronze service star and was released from the Army in February of 1970.

He was united in marriage on May 29, 1971, to Renee Tevepaugh.  They were married for 52 years. The couple resided in Lake City with their two children, Heidi Renee, and Jeremy Daniel Wright.

Merle worked for Crop Mate Fertilizer as a manager for 18 years, farmed for 16 years, and was a truck driver until retirement.  He served on the Lake City Fire Department for 25 years.

Merle enjoyed golfing at the Lake City Country Club, 4x4 Jeeping, and car racing.  Merle never knew a stranger.

Merle was survived by his wife, Renee, daughter Heidi, grandsons Dalton (Jackie) Wright and Trypp Thompson, great-grandchildren Marley Merle & Lorelei Doretta-Joan Wright, brother Jim Wright, sister Sandy Gross, and many nieces and nephews.

Merle was proceeded in death by his son Jeremy D. Wright, his parents Lloyd & Deloris Wright, brother-in-law Bob Gross, mother & father-in-law Harold & Doretta Tevepaugh, sisters-in-law Sheryl Watters, Connie Domeier, brother-in-law Ted Domeier, & nephews Christian Michael Domeier, and Riley Domeier. Son-in-law Chris Thompson.