Ehrhart Merklein passed away on April 4, 2026, at the Prairie Wind Villa, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, at the age of 100. 

Ehrhart was born on January 27, 1926, in Stuttgart, Kansas, to his parents Herman and Margaret Merklein.

He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Merklein on April 11, 1948, at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Stuttgart, Kansas. 

Survivors include daughters Jolene Posson and husband Bill of Stuttgart, Kansas, and Jane Kirchhoff and husband Anthony of Stuttgart, Kansas, grandchildren Alyssa Stites and husband Travis of Phillipsburg, Kansas, and Colin Kirchhoff and wife Alissa of Prairie View, Kansas, as well as 7 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Stuttgart, Kansas, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Ehrhart will be laid to rest in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, in Stuttgart, Kansas. 

Ehrhart will lie in state on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, in Phillipsburg, Kansas. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Prairie Wind Villa or Hospice Services, Inc.