Merle L. Barnes, 86, passed away February 10, 2018 at the Phillips County Hospital in
Phillipsburg, KS. Merle was born October 20, 1931 to Harold and Alma (Underwood)
Barnes in Gretna, KS.

He graduated from Agra High School in 1950. Merle hauled gravel until he went into the
U.S. Army in 1953. He was honorably discharged in 1956 during the Korean Conflict.
On February 1, 1957, Merle married Lela Patterson. Two children blessed this marriage,
Micky and Linda.

Merle was a member of the Agra Church of Christ, having been baptized in 1951.
Merle was a man of many talents, always giving his best to any job he endeavored. He
was a trucker, a bus driver, farmer, mechanic, policeman, carpenter, and small engine
repairman. His specialty was the 8N Ford tractors, which he loved to work on.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Delbert and Arland.

Merle is survived by his wife, Lela, of 61 years of marriage; his son Micky and wife
Janet; a daughter Linda and husband Daryl Dougherty; seven grandsons: Dustin (Sally)
Dougherty, Derek Dougherty, Lance (Haley) Dougherty, Matthew (Stevi) Barnes, Layton
Dougherty, Nickolas Barnes, Kyle Barnes; one granddaughter Jacy (Colt)
Aschenbrenner; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2018 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Robert Keesee officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Agra American Legion Post No. 357, will follow in the Agra Cemetery, Agra.

Mr. Barnes will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday & Friday, with family receiving friends Friday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., all at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the "Know Your Bible" program or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.