Merlin L. Smith

Merlin L. Smith, age 80, died in his home in McCook, on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

Merlin was born at home in Beaver City on December 28, 1927 to Albert and Birdie M. (Volgamore) Smith. He grew up in Beaver City and attended grade school and high school there, graduating in 1945.

He joined the Merchant Marines after high school and made two inter-coastal trips from West Coast to East Coast and went thru the Panama Canal four times, one trip to Hawaii and on trip to Kobe, Japan.

Upon leaving the Merchant Marines, he joined the Army in 1948. Basic training was in Gordon, Georgia. Then he went to Camp Gordon, Georgia for basic training as a Military Policeman. He was transferred to Sandia Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico as a M. P. and was honorably discharged in 1950.

After leaving the army he went to school for two years at Chaffee Jr. College at Ontario, California. He played football one year in the Army and two years at the college.

Merlin then returned home in 1952 to Beaver City and worked in a country elevator. He met Carol Thorn there and they were married in 1953 and they moved to McCook. To this union five children were born.

Merlin worked for BC Christopher and Co. as a commodity broker. He also bought and sold cash grain. He took over as manager of BC Christopher and Co. in 1958 and was also a stock broker. In 1968 he left BC Christopher and started his own business as McCook Commodities. He built his office building at 1006 West B Street in 1982 and retired from the commodity business in 1998. In his retirement he spent many volunteer hours at the McCook Pantry and attending his grandson's sports events.

In April 1979 he married Nina Breedlove in McCook, NE. They enjoyed traveling to the East and West Coasts, Florida and Canada, Hawaii, Alaska and Europe. They were able to see the Passion Play in Germany in 1985 and the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps.

Preceded: Parents; wife, Nina who died in June 5, 2002; a son, Steven Lee Smith (May, 2002); a daughter, Sydney Lynn Titman (1996); two brothers, Donald Albert Smith and Eugene Edward Smith.

Survivors; three daughters, Paula Osborn of McCook, NE, Allison Fults of Arapahoe, NE and Susan Ridgeway of Lincoln, NE; son-in-law David Fults of Beaver City, NE; one brother, Charles Smith and wife Eleanore "Dolly" of Elizabeth, CO; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, also Special friend, Lou Miner of McCook, NE.

Memorials were to be given to the McCook Senior Center

Cremation was chosen and memorial services took place at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in McCook with the Rev. Peter Nissen officiating. Inurnment in the Deaver Cemetery near Stamford, Nebraska.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.