Merle Ray Whitlock , Elmdale
Merle Ray Whitlock of Elmdale died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at the Golden Living Center of Chase County in Cottonwood Falls. He was 89.
Mr. Whitlock was a farmer and rancher for most of his life.
The son of Ray and Iva Dodge Whitlock, he was born July 31, 1917, in rural Lawrence. He attended Piedmont High School for two and one-half years and graduated from Elmdale High School in 1935. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry. While at KSU, he lettered in football and in track and field.
He married Ila Mae Spencer on Aug. 19, 1942, at Fayetteville, Ark. She survives.
Mr. Whitlock was a member of the Elmdale United Methodist Church and served on the board of trustees for years. He also served on the boards of the Middle Creek Watershed, Elmdale Cemetery, Elmdale School and the ASCS Farmers Home Administration. He was a member of the “Golden Cats” at KSU, the volunteer rural fire department and a charter member of the Elmdale chapter of Boy Scouts of America.
He is also survived by two daughters, Gwen Simmons of Elmdale and Karmen Shaw of Arkansas City; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A sister, Mildred Crawford, died earlier.
The service to celebrate his life will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Elmdale United Methodist Church. The Rev. John Hastings will conduct the service. Burial will be in Elmdale Cemetery at Elmdale. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls.
Memorial contributions to the church may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.