Merle Robert Walcher, age 83, of South Haven, KS, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 2:20 p.m. surrounded by his family. He was a loving son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, and great great grandpa.

Merle was born on March 8, 1935 on his parents' farm northwest of South Haven, KS to Robert A. V. and Geraldine Walcher. Merle went 12 of his school years to South Haven School, where he met his wife and lifelong partner, Joann Spencer. He married his sweetheart on August 16, 1953.

Soon after their marriage, he joined the Air Force. During his 10 year career in the Air Force, he served as a Russian Linguist, taught English Grammar and served with the United States Security Services. While in Germany, Merle worked for the Communications Intelligence with the USAF National Security Agency.

In April 1963, Merle and his family returned to Kansas to farm in partnership with his dad. He loved his community of South Haven and education was very important to him.

Merle served 12 years on the school board.

Upon retiring from farming, Merle was a substitute rural mail carrier and hospitality department leader at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Lifelong friends were made while serving the needs of others.

He was a member and a deacon of the South Haven Baptist Church for many years. He always put God first in his life, immediately followed by his family. He loved the Lord with all his heart and passed along his faith, love, family, respect, and the meaning of hard work. "All of us understand that there is more to life than what you see in front of you, and there is a deeper purpose to our work. The Creator, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, inspires hope by reminding us where we came from and where we are going."

He is preceded in death by his parents; his precious wife, Joann; and two sons-in-law, Keith Smith and Anthony "Tuffy" Cornejo.

Merle is survived by his six children, Colleen Meeker and her husband Morris, Roberta Hiltzman, Charlotte Smith, Karen Cornejo-White and her husband Byron, Allen Walcher and his wife Donna, and Maria Campbell and her husband Robert; sister, Geniece Lavenant and her husband Gene; and numerous extended family members. His entire life was wrapped around his grandchildren which include Curtis Meeker and his wife Kathy, Marcus Meeker and his wife Marye, Angela Kelly and her husband Tyson, Katie Meeker, Crystal Moore and her husband Philip, Justin Hiltzman, Diana Locke and her husband Garratt, Ryan Smith, Bryan Smith and his wife Julia, Adam Cornejo, Mark Cornejo and Adrienne Cornejo, Audrey Gill and her husband Ben, Victoria Dugan and her husband Tom, Stephanie Hopper and her husband Brett, Chad Smith and his wife Melanie, Corey Smith and his wife Destiny, Robert, Daniel, Benjamin, Molly, Sarah and Morgan Campbell; 32 great grandchildren, Tanner, Dalton, Brodie, Aaron, McKenna, Carson, Avarye, Mason, Faith, Langdon, Hudson, Rowan, Madison, Alex, Tucker, Callie, Jayanna, Boston, Tuffy, Aiden, Creed, Brooke, Brystal, Kenzie, Callen, Paxton, Porter, Kane, Gauge, Kaeden, Kynnedy and Kiser; and one great great granddaughter, Emma.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the South Haven Baptist Church. Pastor Jimmy Charles and Pastor Kerry Hervey will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Rome, KS.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, July 2, 2018 from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M.

A memorial has been established with the Walcher Scholarship Fund at the South Haven High School in care of Colleen Meeker, in lieu of flowers. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.