"Merle Frank Samples, son of the late William Clay and Bertha Mae (Sheets) Samples, was born March 8, 1935 in Chilton Creek, Missouri and departed this life on July 18, 2016 in the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He had attained the age of eighty-one years, four months and ten days.
Merle had lived in Ellsinore, Missouri for the past two years and was formerly of Van Buren, Missouri where he was a longtime resident. He was formerly a long-haul truck driver for Tri State Motor Transport and had worked in the oil fields. Merle enjoyed fishing, hunting and in his younger years he raced stock car in Nevada.
He married Raejean Samples [Carson] and to this union two sons were born, Merle Frank Samples, Jr. and Michael Clay Samples.
He was preceded in death by both his sons, his former wife, Betty Brizendine; seven brothers, Barney, Sam, James, Terrance, Little George, William "Corky" and Clyde Samples; two sisters, Maxine Samples and Vivian Fears.
Survivors include one sister, Mae Shockley; two sister-n-laws...one grandchild and numerous, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who mourn his passing.
A private graveside service was held on July 19, 2016 in the Eastwood Cemetery Van Buren, Missouri."
"Merle Frank Samples, son of the late William Clay and Bertha Mae (Sheets) Samples, was born March 8, 1935 in Chilton Creek, Missouri and departed this life on July 18, 2016 in the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He had attained the age of eighty-one years, four months and ten days.
Merle had lived in Ellsinore, Missouri for the past two years and was formerly of Van Buren, Missouri where he was a longtime resident. He was formerly a long-haul truck driver for Tri State Motor Transport and had worked in the oil fields. Merle enjoyed fishing, hunting and in his younger years he raced stock car in Nevada.
He married Raejean Samples [Carson] and to this union two sons were born, Merle Frank Samples, Jr. and Michael Clay Samples.
He was preceded in death by both his sons, his former wife, Betty Brizendine; seven brothers, Barney, Sam, James, Terrance, Little George, William "Corky" and Clyde Samples; two sisters, Maxine Samples and Vivian Fears.
Survivors include one sister, Mae Shockley; two sister-n-laws...one grandchild and numerous, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who mourn his passing.
A private graveside service was held on July 19, 2016 in the Eastwood Cemetery Van Buren, Missouri."
Inscription
"Loving Brother"
Family Members
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Barney Samples
1917–1977
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Maxine Samples
1918–1923
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Clyde Ivan Samples
1921–2015
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Samuel Orville Samples
1923–1978
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Vivian Maxine Samples
1925–1998
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Terrance Arthur "Terry" Samples
1927–1993
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George Clay Samples
1929–1932
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Melia Mae Samples Shockley
1931–2020
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William Harry "Corky" Samples
1932–2007
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James Mack Samples
1938–1987
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