Merrill Burdette Mentzer passed away at his home in Yates Center, Kansas on December 10, 2013; he was 94 years old.
Burdette was born April 4, 1919 in Yates Center, Kansas; the son of Ernest and Edith (Dumond) Mentzer. Burdette was raised here in Yates Center, Kansas; he attended Yates Center Schools and graduated from Yates Center High School. Shortly after graduation Burdette went to Los Angeles California and decided to enlist in the United States Army Air Corp. He was an Air Corp. Tech Sgt; and eventually parted with the service in February of 1946. That same year, Burdette returned to Yates Center, Kansas where he married Marie (Stout) on July 7; the couple was blessed with two children: Kay and Jerry. The couple continued to live in Yates Center and Burdette became a farmer and a stockman for the remainder of his life.
Burdette and Marie were active in their community; they attended the United Methodist Church and Burdette was also a member of the Woodson County Cooperative Association as well as The American Legion Post #13; he also served as a County Commissioner of Woodson County for some time.
Merrill Burdette Mentzer was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Laddie Mentzer, Fleta Van Valkenburg, Lovell Mentzer in WWII, Juanita Baldwin, Edward Mentzer, Norryce Mentzer, Austin Mentzer and Donald Mentzer. He is survived by his wife Marie (Stout) of the home in Yates Center, Kansas; his children: Jerry Mentzer and wife Linda and Kay (Mentzer) Thummel and husband Rodney all of Yates Center, Kansas. Also by his brothers: Tye Mentzer of Iowa and Keith Mentzer of Sparks, Nevada; also by four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Burdette are planned for Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 1:30PM at Campbell Funeral Home, Yates Center, Kansas. Burial with military honors will follow in Yates Center Cemetery. The family will meet with friends prior to the service, Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 12:30-1:30PM also at Campbell Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials be made to the "Friends for Life" of Yates Center, The American Legion Post #13, or The Yates Center Senior Center. The memorials may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home P.O. Box 188 Yates Center, Kansas 66783.


Woodson County Marriage Record:
Mentzer, Merrill Burdette, 27 Stout, Marie Hazel, 20 07 July 1946, O-630