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| Merlin J. Banker |
| February 9, 1919 - August 13, 2008 |
Merlin J. Banker, 89, Salina, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008. He was born to the late Jasper Harp Banker and Inez Mabel Nothern Banker on Feb. 9, 1919, in Trenton. Merlin was a Saline County farmer and stockman living on the family farm with his wife of 67 years, Eleanor Graves Banker. He was an Army veteran of World War II and later served as a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol. He served his community as a member of First United Methodist Church, Salina, where he was a trustee and head usher. He was a Federal Land Bank director and former Farm Bureau director and president. He was chairman of the Saline County ASCS committee, a 4-H project leader and member of the Extension Council. He was a 60-year member of Hiawatha Masonic Blue Lodge #35, a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Isis Shrine, where he belonged to the Pipes and Drums and the Topless Travelers. He was preceded in death by his sister, Thalia McCall. He is survived by his spouse, Eleanor, of the home; a sister, Arnita Graber of Hesston; two sons, M.J. and spouse Sue and Walter; three daughters, Ann and spouse Arnold Tillberg, Mary and spouse Jim VanEmburgh and Barbara and spouse Don Sams, all of Salina; grandchildren, David and spouse Karla Tillberg, Cheryl and spouse Mike Murray, Kevin VanEmburgh, Matthew Banker, Kristy and spouse Jeremy Dunker, Mark Banker and Audra Banker; and great-grandchildren, Aidan, Ben and Michael Jasper Murray, and Grant and Meredith Tillberg. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, where family will receive friends from 4 to 5 p.m. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at First United Methodist Church, Salina. Memorials are suggested to the church or Shrine Children’s Hospitals. |
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