HUTCHINSON — Elmo Merritt, 89, died Feb. 15, 2017, at Pleasant Hills Home, Hutchinson. He was born Oct. 13, 1927, in Gorman, Texas, to Edward and Della (Echols) Merritt. Elmo graduated from Moran High School, Texas, in 1947 and Fort Hays State University. On Aug. 15, 1948, he married Lola D. Kellogg. She died September 1988. He then married Ermalee Taylor on Nov. 24, 1990, in Great Bend. They shared 26 years of marriage. Elmo was an elementary education teacher and principal for over 40 years.
He was a member of Eastwood Church of Christ and enjoyed gardening, carpentry, fishing and hunting.
Survivors include his wife, Ermalee of the home; sons, Robin Merritt and wife Martha of Houston, Texas, and Jon Merritt and wife Tamra of St. John; daughter, Paula Huff and husband Jerry of Topeka; stepdaughters, De Ann Krueger, Maribeth Benker and Lora Lee Dungan; five grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and a sister.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Eastwood Church of Christ, 2500 N. Plum, Hutchinson, with Jimie-Wray Mead officiating. Cremation will follow. Inurnment will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday with family to receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastwood Church of Christ or Carpenter Place, in care of the mortuary.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Elliott Mortuary*
1219 N. Main
Hutchinson, KS 67501
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 17, 2017