Merlyn Elder

Merlyn Noble Elder, 83 of Wichita, died on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

Merlyn was born the son of Jerome and Alice (McGraw) Elder on January 11, 1933, in DeWitt, Ark. On August 29, 1952, Merlyn and Patricia Kay Kepple were united in marriage in Carthage, Mo. and celebrated 64 years of marriage together.

He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Pittsburg State University. His teaching career began in 1956 in Webb City, Mo., where he was a teacher, coach and administrator for several years. He then moved to Commerce, Okla. to be a high school principal for one year. In 1972, he moved to Wellington to become the principal of Wellington High School and retired from that position in 1995. After retirement, he continued working in education as a substitute teacher.  During his time spent with USD 353, he made a positive impact on generations of students.

Merlyn was proud to serve his country and retired as a GMCM from the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1993 after having served almost 43 years.

He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Wichita.  He formerly served on the Trustee and Diaconate Boards of the First Baptist Church of Wellington.  He was also a member of American Legion Tom Schwinn Post of Wellington, Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, and National Sons of the American Revolution.

Merlyn was a loving husband, father, grandad, brother and friend who will be missed by many. He was a “people person” who never met a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia (Patsy) Elder of Wichita; daughter, Kathi Dwyer of Wellington; daughter, Susan Ybarra (Tim) of Mulvane; son, John D. Elder (Carla) of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; grandchildren: Dr. Jennifer Dwyer of Chicago, Illinois; Sarah Murphy (Chris) of Wichita; Jordan Dwyer (Lindsey Holthaus) of Topeka; Alicia Summers (Matt) of Liberty, Missouri; Katelyn Ybarra of Emporia; John David Elder, Jr., Kaylee Elder and Kenleigh Elder all of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; brother, Jerome Elder of Omaha, Texas; and sister, Dolores Atnip of Jasper, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marion Elder; and son-in-law, Tom Dwyer.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, December 11, 2016 with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services for Merlyn will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 12, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Wellington. Dr. Charles Boswell of Immanuel Baptist Church and Pastor John Bliss of First Baptist Church will officiate.

A private family interment will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in his loving memory to the Immanuel Baptist Church of Wichita, First Baptist Church of Wellington, or Encompass Hospice of Wichita. Contributions may be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or leave condolences, please visit www.cornejodayfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by Cornejo|Day Funeral Home & Crematory, Wellington.