Obituary for Donald Merhoff

Donald Max “Don” Merhoff was born on December 20, 1925, to Myrtle (Murrey) Merhoff. He grew up in Blackwell attending Blackwell Public Schools and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1943 where he participated in the wrestling and track programs. He also served as president of his freshman class and was actively involved in the F.F.A. program. Following his education he entered the United States Army serving during World War II and later the Korean Conflict. While serving as an infantryman in the 69th Infantry Division he saw action at the Battle of the Bulge. He later transferred to the 90th Engineer Group and served during the Occupation in Germany and Berlin. Don was awarded the bronze star for his service in Germany. Following his discharge he returned to Blackwell and furthered his education by attending Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa. He later married Pauline Lavern McHenry on March 18, 1949, in Blackwell. In 1950 Don left for Korea and following the Inchon invasion was placed in the 2nd Base Post Office outside of Seoul. After the war he returned home where he began working for the Blackwell Zinc Company before working for the United States Postal Service for a little over thirty seven years. After retirement they moved to Palm Springs, California, to make their home, before returning to Blackwell. He was a member of the First Christian Church where he also served as a deacon. He also held membership in the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed carpentry and construction painting. Other hobbies included hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Merhoff of Blackwell; two daughters, Stephanie Jarboe and husband Darrel of Cambridge, Kansas, and Karen Merhoff of Blackwell; and cousins, Norma Jean Cook, Kay Lowenstein, Phid Titsworth and Sonna Ray Murrey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; uncles, Sam Murrey, Zeke Murrey, Olen Murrey and Lloyd Murrey; aunts, Leota Fredrick and Inez Tomlin; and cousins, Olen Dee Murrey and Wanda Eastin.

Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 7th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with military rites performed by the United States Army.

Casketbearers will be Chris Childers, Dirk Seabridge, Gary Leslie, Jim Stone, Sean Seabridge, Scott Seabridge and Gary Fultz. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be Les Conaway, Jack Childers, Les Cartwright, Lloyd Leslie, Don Bevington, Eddie Heckelsmiller and Jake Yarbrough.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Christian Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.