Merlin L. Deters, 63, of Baileyville, Kansas, died late Saturday evening, September 23, 2006, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Merlin was born in Axtell, on March 15, 1943, the son of Bernard A. and Anna Wiltz Deters; he was the 11th of 14 children. After graduating from Baileyville High School in 1961, Merlin worked in Kansas City for Inland Underground Storage before moving back and taking over the family dairy farm.

On October 7, 1967 in Seneca, he married Judith Kohake; she survives the home. They raised six children.

Merlin served on the Baileyville Cemetery Board, and kept the cemetery books, a community service that has been in Merlin’s family over several generations. Merlin was also on the Baileyville Water and Sewer Board, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He helped in the development of Industrial Millwork and presently served on the Board for Koch and Company. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville, where he was a Eucharist minister and a rosary leader.

Merlin had many interests and enjoyed family picnics, camping, fishing, boating, farming, and playing cards with neighbors and family. He loved his grandchildren. He had recently taken them to Wyoming and Yellowstone.

Survivors besides his wife are two sons, Damian (and Alicia) Deters of Hiawatha and Terry Deters of Hutchison; three daughters; Pamela (and Benji) Wysong of Sabetha, Anna (and Brad) Schwartz of Overbrook, and Katie (and Jim) Dalinghaus of Baileyville; four sisters, Lucille (and Ray) Boeckman of Goff, Alicia (and Clarence) Burdick of Sabetha, Shirley (and Mike) Banks of Topeka, Aurea (and Valerian) Schmitz of Seneca; eight brothers, Urban (and Charlotte), Dwaine (and Kathleen), Raymond (and Dorothy), all of Seneca, Lester (and Arlene) of Marysville, Alvin (and Joann), LeRoy (and Gladys), Bernie (and Edie), all of Baileyville, and Gene (Jean) of Branson, Missouri; and eight grandchildren, Erica, Keith, Amy Wysong, Kaley, Jacy, Tommy Dalinghaus, and Brady and Brett Schwartz.

Preceding Merlin in death were his parents, an infant brother, and his son Edwin Charles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Thursday, September 28, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Rosaries will be 2 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca and 7 PM Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church.

Branson, Missouri; and eight grandchildren, Erica, Keith, Amy Wysong, Kaley, Jacy, Tommy Dalinghaus, and Brady and Brett Schwartz.

Preceding Merlin in death were his parents, an infant brother, and his son Edwin Charles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Thursday, September 28, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Rosaries will be 2 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca and 7 PM Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church.