Merlyn McAdam, 66, died on Saturday, August 21, 2004 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 26, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Wollenzein officiating. Burial will follow at Woodman Cemetery in Middle River, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Wednesday, August 25 with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Merlyn Howard McAdam was born on September 18, 1937 on the family farm in Huss Township, Roseau County, MN, the son of Merlyn E. and Gladys C. (Beito) McAdam. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended school in Thief River Falls.

Buzz entered into the service with the US Army, serving in Germany, Texas and California. While in Texas he gave Elvis Presley his fatigues, tested him to get into the army and was stationed with him at the same base in Germany. He was honorably discharged on April 30, 1962.

On August 8, 1956 he was united in marriage to Josephine Votava in Thief River Falls. The couple lived in California and Texas before moving to a 5 acre mini farm in Queen Creek, Arizona where they raised their family. Buzz retired from the US Post Office and in 1986 he moved back to Thief River Falls. The last several years, Buzz was blessed with his special friend Grace Busse and her family.

Buzz was a member of the Mesa Moose Lodge, TRF American Legion, Eagles Club and Ducks Unlimited. He was a fun loving person who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, ice fishing, and fishing derbies. He especially loved to visit with family and friends; he never met a stranger. He loved to cook, especially barbecues, Buzzy burgers, dove hunt feasts and western omelets.

He is survived by his children Darla Schmier, Rebecca McAdam, Debra McAdam all of Mesa, AZ, Ward (Jolene) McAdam of Queen Creek, AZ; daughter in law Angelica McAdam of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren Richard Schmier, James (Dana) Van Dam, Joseph Schmier, Danielle Combs, Ashley McAdam, Chelsey Van Dam, Ryan McAdam, John Paul McAdam, Dillon McAdam, Evan McAdam; great grandchildren Denali Van Dam and Evan Prue; sister Jo Ann Widing of Thief River Falls, Peggy Maxine (Vern) Reierson of Thief River Falls, Gladys Bobbi Roberta Pratt of Reno, NV and Scottsbale, AZ; along with several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son John McAdam, parents, 2 brothers-in-law Delbert Widing and Lorne Pratt and special friend Grace Busse.