Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Merle DeLong Passes Away

Merle Elwin "Pop" DeLong Merle E. "Pop" DeLong passed away at the Rossville Nursing Center on March 15, 2018 at the age of 93.

He was born on March 8, 1925 at Strawn, Kansas the son of Roy A. DeLong and Tracy Hazel Phillips DeLong Merle was one of eight children, Lester C. DeLong, Bertha DeLong Claycamp O'Conner, Roy Amos DeLong, Laura DeLong Dalrymple, Mary Lou DeLong Atherly, Wendall Dean DeLong, and Hazel DeLong Lynn. All have preceded him in death except for Mary Lou and Hazel.

Merle married JoAnn Bell in 1945. To this union was born five children; Carolyn DeLong Rogers-husband Roy, Alice DeLong Sprague-husband Tom, Patsy DeLong Fulghum-husband Robert, Charles DeLong-wife Kathy, Larry DeLong-wife Susan. This marriage dissolved in 1965.

In 1967 Merle married Dolly Becker Bennett. He became the stepfather to Dolly's four children; Debra Medlock, Eldon Bennett (deceased), Daphne Euglow, and Robert Bennett-wife Janet. Merle and Dolly celebrated their fiftieth Anniversary on September 29, 2017.

Merle leaves behind his wife Dolly, children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He began his life in farming, later went into construction, and retired from the Topeka Street Department. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. He was also an avid storyteller whether real or fiction and kept his grandchildren entertained. He will be truly missed by all.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

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