VASSAR, Kan. – Merlin Earl Smith, 81, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, Kan. He was born on May 2, 1938, in Lucerne, Mo., the son of Theodore and Pearl Guymon Smith.
Merlin grew up in Unionville, Mo., and after joining the Air Force, served at several air bases around the Midwest. He had lived in Topeka, Osage City and Vassar since 2003. Merlin served in the United States Air Force and retired after 20 years at the rank of master sergeant. He then worked as a sales representative for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Merlin was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Community Church, and he had a passion for sharing the love of Christ, leading Bible studies, and worshipping the Lord in song.
Merlin was married to Dorothy Quick in October 1960, in Warrensburg, Mo. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2001, after 40 years of marriage. He married Katherine Jones on April 5, 2003, in Overbrook, Kan.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Pearl; son, Anthony Smith, in 2001; stepson, Bryce Williams; and his three sisters, June Smith, Nada Galloway and Marjory Bartmess.
Merlin is survived by his wife, Kathie, of the home; son, Kenn (Julie) Smith, Blue Springs, Mo.; two daughters, Tina (Rance) Recla, Nixa, Mo., and Karen (Bob) Tolliver, Butler, Tenn.; two stepsons, Troy Williams, Topeka, and Richard Williams, Canyon City, Colo.; a stepdaughter, Karri O’Berg, Spearfish, S.D.; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and lots of friends and church family.
Graveside services with Air Force Honors will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Swan Lake Memorial and Chapel of Memories, Grain Valley, Mo. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Mt. Pleasant Community Church, southeast of Lyndon. The family will receive friends 9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Motorcycle Association-Topeka Chapter or Gideon’s International, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
