Merle Leonard Weaver, 80, Osawatomie, a longtime Osawatomie businessman, died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, in Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Born June 17, 1925, a short distance north of Osawatomie, he was the youngest of the two sons of Alton DeWitt and Lola Josephine Huck Weaver. He grew up in Osawatomie and was a 1943 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

Mr. Weaver served with the U.S. Army during World War II and was honorably discharged on March 4, 1946.

After attending the University of Kansas for two years, he returned to Osawatomie to join the family businesses. He operated Weaver Supply Co. in downtown Osawatomie for many years until it was sold. In later years he managed the Elms Motel, also in Osawatomie, and worked with his brother, Cloman Weaver, in the building industry.

Mr. Weaver was a member of the First Baptist Church of Osawatomie.

Survivors include his brother, Cloman Weaver of Osawatomie.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. He will lie in state from 1:30 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Osawatomie Cemetery with full military honors.

* Memorials may be made to the church.