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CLASS OF 1955 Merle Esten Watson age 78, of Lane, Kansas died Sunday, December 13, 2015 at his home. Merle was born March 12, 1937 in Osawatomie, Kansas the fourth of five children born to Curtis Carmichael and Ocie “Jewel” (Stanley) Watson. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the class of 1955. In 1956 Merle enlisted in the United States Army and was soon deployed to France. While serving in France he came home on leave and married his long time sweetheart Patricia June Whitaker on March 28, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Osawatomie. The couple returned to France until 1959. Merle was then transferred to California. In 1960 their oldest daughter Connie was born. They remained in California until Merle was honorably discharged in 1960. The family lived in Oregon for a short time before returning to Kansas, where their second daughter Mary was born in 1961 and moved to Texas where their youngest daughter Margaret was born in 1964. The family remained in Texas until the summer of 1976 when they returned to Osawatomie. In the spring of 1978 they moved to their home in Lane. In Garland, Texas, Merle worked for Continental EMSCO as a machinist. When they returned to Osawatomie he went to work as an equipment mechanic for the Missouri Pacific Railroad later known as the Union Pacific Railroad until he retired in 1999. He was a member of N.A.R.V.R.E. (National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees) and a charter member of the Pottawatomie Ruritan Club. Merle was a man who loved to be outside, whether it was working or riding dune buggies, playing outdoors was his place to be. He was a true horseman and had several horses during his life, his favorites was “Jack” whom he had for over twenty years. When the girls were growing up Merle cared for them in the evenings while Pat worked at her restaurants. These were times filled with fun family memories; he taught them to ride horses, to love and respect others, he instilled good work ethics and taught them to enjoy life. He was a fun-loving, kind, generous man who enjoyed his family. Merle and Pat opened their home for two nephews, who they raised as their own for over eight years. When asked what his three favorite things in life were, he answered: his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and children (you see who was picked first). When asked what he would have like to have been in life, he answered a rancher. The three things he enjoyed most were smoking cigarettes, playing solitaire and watching westerns on TV (he was a John Wayne fan). Merle was a man who loved family and life, one who would help anyone and was glad to do it. He will be truly missed by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Roy Weaver, Jim and Bob Watson and his sister Karen Waggoner. Merle is survived by his wife of more than 57 years, Pat of the home, three daughters: Connie (Steve) Bowman of Osawatomie, KS, Mary Hampson (Jerry Loftin) of Baldwin, KS, and Margaret Watson of Belton, MO. Eight grandchildren: Melissa (Scott) Calvin, Brandon (Kristal) Powell, Nick (Angela) Hampson, Corey (Beth) Powell, Devon (Jillie) Powell, Adriane (Randy) Barrett, Malarie (Chris) Cook and Makayla Evans (Jake Kasper). Thirteen great grandchildren: Chaston, Skyler, Meredith, Corinne, Lillian, Madison, Cooper, Sydney, Tucker, Hudson, Cletus III, Lincoln, June and number fourteen arriving in February. Visitation: 5-8 PM Thursday, December 17, 2015. Service: 10AM Friday, December 18, 2015. (Both at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home) Committal of ashes: Lane Cemetery, Lane, Kansas with Military Honors MEMORIALS: Franklin County Cancer Foundation Memorial may be sent in care of: Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home |
