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CLASS OF 1949 AUGUST 25, 1931 - SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 Merle Eugene Matney age 84, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at his home. Merle was born August 25, 1931 in Fontana, Kansas. He was the second child of three children born to Oren Thorval and Dorothy Andree (Henness) Matney. He grew up in Fontana and attended country schools, Harmony Grade School and Fontana Junior High, until about the age of thirteen when his family moved to Osawatomie. He attended Osawatomie High School, played the tuba in the school band, and graduated with the class of 1949. On his nineteenth birthday, August 25, 1950 he married Betty L. Haney in Osawatomie. They made their home in Osawatomie until 1956 when they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where they resided until 1962. His family grew over the years as Merle and Betty became the parents of five daughters and one son. Merle worked as a carpenter out of Local Union 2417 and owned Merle E. Matney Construction Company for over twenty years, then in 1971 he and his two brothers opened Matney Mobile Homes in Osawatomie. At a later date they developed LOM Vista Estates, as a mobile home park, and named the streets after family names. The brothers also opened a second mobile home sales lot in Iola. Merle and Betty eventually were the sole owners of the Osawatomie lot. He retired in 2001. He attended the First Baptist Church for many years where he was very active in the church, also serving as a Deacon. He attended and was a member of the Green Valley Baptist Church of Osawatomie and later returned to First Baptist Church. Merle served on the Osawatomie School Board from 1986-1999. For over three years he taught a Dale Carnegie Class in Kansas City, Missouri. He enjoyed fishing and boating whenever he had the time, however as a business owner and family man his days were too busy for much leisure time. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, a terrific provider and a man of faith, he will truly be missed by many. Merle was preceded in death by his parents and one son-in-law Michael Padgett. He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years Betty, his five daughters: Merilee Kay Padgett, Joplin; Gay Lynn (Glenn) Bartlett, Eudora; Joy Elaine (Phil) Cragg, Bucyrus; Glee Ann (Keith) Matney-Rigdon, Jacksonville, FL; Melody Sue (John) Wendt, Osawatomie; and Michael Eugene (Kimberley) Matney, Osawatomie; two brothers Orville (Lois) Matney, Monroe, LA and Larry (Janet) Matney of Lenexa. Thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren along with many other family and friends. VISITATION: 1-2 PM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 SERVICE 2 PM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 BOTH SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT: EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME BURIAL: OSAWATOMIE CEMETERY, OSAWATOMIE, KANSAS MEMORIAL: ALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION Memorials may be sent in care of: Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home |
