Merle Black

Funeral services for Merle Frank Black, 77, Lawrence, will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 3,
2010 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery immediately following the service.  Mr.  Black died March 31, 2010 at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Merle was born May 4, 1932 in Clinton, KS the son of Frank M. and Mattie (Tarpy)
Black. He was a veteran of the US Army, 101st Airborne Division, he was stationed in Alaska and Kentucky during the Korean War.

He was a dairyman and farmer, with his father, near Williamstown(rural Perry).  In October, 1967, he started work for Heetco in Lawrence and was promoted to manager of the Heetco office in Overbrook in 1979, where he remained until his retirement in May, 1997.  He was a member of the Eagles Lodge, American Legion Post 0142 in Perry and the Williams Fund at KU.

He married Beverly (Brunton) Rogge on Dec. 27, 1980 in Lawrence, KS.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two daughters: Connie Black and Ann Chamberlain,
Houston, TX; two sons: Ken Black, Houston, and Scott Black, Nowata, OK;  three stepdaughters: Kate Rogge, Pam Begert and husband Mark, Lawrence; Tish Rogge, Milwaukee, WI; and two stepsons: Rich Rogge and wife Barb, Overland Park, and John Rogge, Lawrence.  He is survived by four sisters: Dorothy Schaake, Lawrence; his twin, Mildred Furstenau and husband Wally, Mesa, AZ; Marian DeHart and husband Don, and Alberta McPike, Topeka.  Seventeen grandchildren: Megan, Tim, Aaron, Alyssa, Ryan, Jeramy, Cailey, Brayden, Abygale, Josh, Dan, Kim, Ali, Stephen, Elizabeth, Alex and Kelsey.

Visitation will be from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the mortuary.  Memorials in his name made to the American Cancer Society, or an organization of the donor’s
choice, and may be sent to Warren- McElwain Mortuary. 

8 Condolences

  1. Barb on April 1, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

    Cherish the memories of your loved one.



  2. Carol and John Admire on April 2, 2010 at 12:00 am

    I understand there were quite a lot of you with him when he passed. He was obviously a wonderful man to have so many people love him like you did. Barb always talked of his great sense of humor and his calm nature. I know you’ll all miss him. We’re all thinking about you in the Lose family. Carol



  3. Joe & Cynthia Laframboise on April 2, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We wish to express our sympathy to both you, Kate, and your mother. You are in our thoughts and prayers.



  4. Sheila Meggison on April 2, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Scott: My thoughts are with you and your family. Merle was quite a guy. I know he will be greatly missed.



  5. Melvin Gentry on April 3, 2010 at 12:00 am

    I offer my condolences to the family of Merle Black. He has been a life long friend and i am sorry to hear of your loss.
    Melvin Gentry of Topeka, KS



  6. Margaret Gentry (Mrs. R.S.) Elliott on April 4, 2010 at 12:00 am

    My sympathies are with your family. Merle was my reliable transportation (calm, careful driver) to high school for at least one year. I walked to Buck Creek Road to catch a ride with him. I am very sorry to hear of your loss.



  7. kujjjhawk on April 5, 2010 at 12:00 am


  8. Jim Dickey on April 7, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Carole and I were very sorry to hear of Merle’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Beverly, and your family.



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