Merlin Earl Smith, 81, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. He was born on May 2, 1938 in Lucerne, Missouri, the son of Theodore and Pearl Guymon Smith.

Merlin grew up in Unionville, Missouri 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 on October 24, 1960 in Warrensburg, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2001 after 40 years of marriage. He married Katherine Jones on April 5, 2003 in Overbrook, Kansas.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Pearl; by his son, Anthony Smith in 2001; by his step-son, Bryce Williams; and his three sisters, June Smith, Nada Galloway and Marjory Bartmess.

Merlin is survived by his wife Kathie of the home; his son, Kenn (Julie) Smith of Blue Springs, Missouri; his two daughters, Tina (Rance) Recla of Nixa, Missouri and Karen (Bob) Tolliver of Butler, Tennessee; two step sons, Troy Williams of Topeka and Richard Williams of Canyon City, Colorado; a step daughter, Karri O'Berg of Spearfish, South Dakota; twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; other relatives and lots of friends and church family.

Graveside services for Merlin will be at 2:00pm on Friday, October 11 at Swan Lake Memorial and Chapel of Memories in Grain Valley, Missouri. Memorial services for Merlin will be at 11:00am on Saturday, October 12 at the Mt. Pleasant Community Church southeast of Lyndon. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00am at the church on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Motorcycle Association-Topeka Chapter or Gideon's International, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS. 66451.