Merlyn G. Farlee, 76, of Republic, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, in Belleville. He was born Oct. 9, 1933, in Rydal, the son of Glenn W. and Mary Margaret (Mikesell) Farlee.
A lifetime resident of Republic, he graduated from Republic High School in 1951. On Oct. 17, 1954, he was united in marriage to Jean A. Hallgren, and to this union two children were born, Marilyn and Verlyn. The couple farmed in the Republic area.
He was a member of the Sherdahl Booster 4-H Club as a youngster, a leader of the Republic Pioneers 4-H Club and continued to support Republic County 4-H until his death. He was a 55-year member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as a Past Master of Republic Lodge 123 AF&AM and Past District Deputy Grand Master, a member of Belle-ville Lodge 129 AF&AM, a member of the Moose Lodge, Eagles Lodge and Elks Lodge, and a lifetime member of United Methodist Church. He volunteered with Red Cross Disaster Relief. He served as mayor of Republic and was very involved in the community. He served on NCK Free Fair Board for a number of years. He was the chairman of Big Bend Township.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Farlee, of Republic; one daughter, Marilyn Nichols and husband Blake, of Wichita; one son, Verlyn Farlee and wife Julie, of Republic; five grandchildren, Sean Milleson, of Kansas City, Kan., Sarah Farlee, of Dodge City, Amy Farlee, of Silver Lake, and Tara and Marc Milleson, both of Wichita; and two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Rose Milleson and Jeremiah Dillard-Clark Milleson.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at United Methodist Church, Republic, with interment in Belleville Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to United Methodist Church, of Republic or Scandia, or Republic Pioneers 4-H Club.