Merlin Dale Wedel
Obituary
HESSTON — Merlin Dale Wedel, 79, passed away on Tuesday (May
22, 2012).
Merlin was born on Oct. 30, 1932, to Dewey and Evelyn
(Smith) Wedel. He was raised on a farm south of Greensburg and attended Lone
Star School through the eighth grade. Merlin moved to Fredonia in 1950 to farm
with his future brother-in-law, Reiferd Yost. Following his marriage to Earla
Yost on Nov. 30, 1952, they moved to Topeka, where Merlin entered 1-W service,
working at the Topeka State Hospital and doing an early morning milk route.
Earla preceded him in death in 2004, after 51 years of marriage.
Following two years of service, Merlin and Earla moved to
Wilmore, where he farmed and ranched until 1993. During these years in Comanche
County, Merlin became involved in numerous community organizations, including
Farm Bureau and USD 360 School Board, and he was a volunteer fireman for the
Wilmore Fire Department. One county was not enough; Merlin also served on the
Kiowa County Hospital Board.
Merlin was baptized into the Church of God in Christ
Mennonite as a teen. In 1975, Merlin and Earla chose to become members of the
Greensburg Mennonite Church, where they attended until they moved to Hesston in
1993. While at Greensburg Mennonite Church, Merlin served on the building
committee, was a song leader and served several terms on the Board of Elders.
In 1993, Merlin sold his farming operation, and they moved
to Hesston, where he resided until his
death. Following the move to Hesston, Merlin and Earla became members of
Hesston Mennonite Church and found a warm and welcoming Sunday School class
which became an important part of their lives.
Merlin was employed for a short time at Kropf Lumber in
Hesston, but working inside four walls did not fit his passion of being out and
about. He had spent winters driving 18
wheelers in his earlier days when farming did not pay all of the bills, so
returning to semi driving was a natural for him. He drove for Bontrager
Trucking of Hutchinson and Phil Blocker Trucking of Cheney, and he finished his
driving career with Fensky Trucking of Moundridge.
In December 2006, Merlin experienced a head injury following
a fall. Life was never the same for
Merlin as he lost his short-term memory and much of his long-term memory as
well. He was not able to return to independent living and passed away at
Schowalter Villa.
Merlin is survived by his three children, Bruce Wedel and
companion, Kathy Ramey of Kansas City, Mo., Sondra (Dean) Leatherman of
Hesston, and Jay Wedel and Sharon Wedel of Hesston. He also is survived by seven grandchildren,
Heidi Dawson of Pratt, Jenae Leatherman of Haven, Megan Leatherman of Denver,
Zach Wedel of Raytown, Mo., Gabrielle Wedel of Raytown, Mo., Jared Wedel of
Hesston, and Landon Wedel of Hesston; one great-grandchild, Colton Dawson of
Pratt; and a brother, Larry Wedel of Grove, Okla.
Two brothers preceded him in death: Charles, who died in
childhood, and Kenneth.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday (May 28, 2012) at
Hesston Mennonite Church, with family receiving friends from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday (May 29, 2012) at Hesston Mennonite Church. Burial will immediately
follow the second visitation on Tuesday at Eastlawn Cemetery in Hesston, with
memorial services to follow at the church at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be sent to Hesston Mennonite Church Outreach
Commission and Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Miller-Ott
Funeral Home, 107 S. Lancaster, P.O. Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.
