The Minster officiating at the service will be Brother Aaron Johnson and Brother Jim Knight. Interment was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Deepwater, Missouri.
The family suggests Memorial donations be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, and those may be left at the funeral home.
Merlin Dale Wharton, Sr., 77, passed away at his home in Appleton City, Missouri on August 23, 2015. Merle, one of nine children, was born February 11, 1938 in Wellington, Kansas, the son of James Junior and Anna Elizabeth (Warden) Wharton.
Merle grew up living in several towns in south central Kansas. As a young man he worked in the construction industry installing components in the missile bases that dotted the United States in the 50’s and 60’s. In 1964 his family moved to Clinton, Missouri where Merle continued in construction and also did some farming. In 1974 he moved to St. Clair County where he continued farming and began raising cattle. Merle and wife, Barbara, moved to Appleton City in 1993 buying the Blue Inn Restaurant which they operated until Barbara’s health failed. After her death in 2004 Merle sold the Blue Inn and retired. He spent his time enjoying his “coffee buddies” and taking it easy. In 1985 Merle had begun traveling to Canada to fish and hunt, making that trek for 26 years straight. He loved that time spent with friends in North Woods. His passport and map were always handy and he had planned to take another trip soon.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents; his wives Linda and Barbara; one brother Donald Wharton; and one sister Dottie Beaver. Survivors include his children: Merlin Dale Wharton, Jr., Floyd James Wharton (Shellie), Robert Allen Wharton (Tamara) and Donald Ray Wharton (companion Mary); his grandchildren: Michael and Robert Wharton, Tonya O’Kelly (Brian), Jamie Reese, Elizabeth and Rachel Wharton; four brothers: Milton Dean Wharton (Gladys), Vernon Wharton (Jeanie), Delbert Wharton (Joann) and Raymond Wharton; two sisters, Darlene Scott (Bus) and Deanna Learned (James).
