IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
Max Merrill
Services for former Marion resident Max Gail Merrill, 90, of Lenexa, who passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 2021, will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at Valley United Methodist Church, Marion. Max will be laid to rest at Marion Cemetery after the service.
Max spent his childhood in Marion and attended Marion High School, graduating in 1950. In 2004, he was named one of Marion County’s top 100 athletes of all time.
For Marion High School, Max played quarterback in football, forward in basketball, and pitcher and shortstop in baseball while becoming the only Marion athlete to letter in three sports over the span of four seasons.
Max earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University in Kansas in 1954. He was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
After college, Max served two years in the Air Force and was stationed in St. Louis. He then began his career in the oil business, working for Exxon/Mobil and living in Wichita, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, and Midland, Texas.
In 1973, Max and his family moved to London, where he spent eight years working for Esso Europe.
Max returned to Oklahoma City, working for Seneca Oil until his retirement.
Max was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing throughout the US and Europe. His numerous trips to play golf in Scotland and attend the British Open were among his favorites. He was also a two-time winner of the Kansas Senior Four-Ball Championship.
Playing the piano and ukulele were favorite hobbies. He loved to entertain with a spirited rendition of boogie-woogie.
Max was a dedicated University of Kansas Jayhawk fan, no matter the sport.
Max and his wife, Patricia Harris Merrill, were married 67 years.
He and Patsy had their first date in seventh grade and grew up in Marion together until they were married in 1954.
They especially enjoyed their time in London and being able to travel extensively throughout Europe. Collecting antiques from the small English villages was a special joy to them both.
His loving family includes children Mitch Merrill (and wife Tonya) of Sioux City, Iowa, and Sarah Hickey (and husband Tom) of Overland Park; grandchildren, Jennifer Rangelova (and husband Atanas) of Sioux City, Kyle Merrill of Cincinnati, Connor Hickey of Overland Park, and Mallory Hickey of Overland Park; great-grandchildren Konstantina Rangelova and Nikolas Rangelov of Sioux City; sister Carolyn White of Clark, Colorado; nephew Mike Wafer of Denver; and niece Julie Wafer of Denver.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Kansas City Hospice House in care of Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Marion KS 66861.
Please sign his online guest book and leave a memory of Max at www.yazelmeglifh.com.