Merton Bletscher

Merton George Bletscher, age 97 of Leonardville, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Leonardville Nursing Home. He was born September 1, 1920 in Clay Center, the son of John and Louisa (Coltharp) Bletscher. He was raised on the family farm three miles west of Leonardville and graduated from Leonardville Rural High School. On March 10, 1971, he was married to Shirley Dunable. They lived in rural Clay Center for a number of years before later moving to Clay Center. She preceded him in death in 2014. Merton, with his family, ran Sunrise Dairy during his youth and continued to farm with his father until the farm was sold in 1966. Merton loved farm life and dairying, naming each of his dairy cows and caring for them as he would pets. After the sale of the farm, Merton took employment in Clay Center at the IGA, where he worked in the meat department for many years. He particularly enjoyed his interaction with customers and made many friends. He and Shirley took frequent trips to the Ozarks as they looked forward to the music and entertainment of the Branson area. At home, Shirley would play the piano as Merton listened. Mert, as he was known, loved family and looked forward to family events and reunions. He enjoyed gardening after leaving the farm and had a special affinity towards animals, especially horses, cows, and dogs. He was a member of the Leonardville United Methodist Church and then, with Shirley, the Clay Center United Methodist Church. Merton is survived by a brother-in-law, Warren Ford of Leonardville; five nieces and nephews, Lennis Beichter (Eldon) of Junction City, Warren Bletscher (Karen) of Sahuarita, Arizona, Kathy Wann of Nampa, Idaho, Beth Ratcliffe (Fred) of New York, New York and Stephen Ford (Tammy) of Norwich, Kansas as well as many grand nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Dolores Ford, two brothers, Warren Bletscher and Dennis Bletscher, and one nephew, Alan Ford. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home with Pastor Ryan Lynch officiating.   Interment in Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center. Honorary Pallbearers: Warren Ford, Stephen Ford, Fred Ratcliffe, Spencer Ford, Chase Ford, Mitch Moore, Bart Coutermarsh, and Wes Llewelyn.   Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 9:30 until service time In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clay County Animal Rescue & Education Center, Inc. in care of the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home