He was born the son of Ora Earl and Margret Ann (Wright) Armstrong on August 18, 1927 in rural Greensburg, in Scotland County, MO.
Merlin was a bright student, graduating two years early from Granger (MO) High School at the age of 16. He then graduated from Chillicothe (MO) Business School.
He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II and served in Army Intelligence. He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD.
He joined the Arbela Baptist Church at an early age, later transferring his membership to the Wyaconda Baptist Church. When the Armstrongs moved to Carrollton in 1971, he joined the Carrollton First Baptist Church, where he was a long time deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Merlin went to work for the Santa Fe railroad at the age of 17 in McCook, IL. He then transferred to Ft. Madison, IA, to Wyaconda, to Carrollton, and Marceline. He was a Depot Station Agent, retiring after 45 years of service.
Merlin was also a 50-year Mason, being active in the Hale City Lodge # 216 A.F. & A.M. and in the Marshall Eastern Star Chapter #408. He was Past Master and Past District Deputy Grand Lecturer and Master of the Lodge. Merlin was also a past worthy patron of the Vesta Chapter #5 Order of the Eastern Star in Carrollton.
Merlin was a multi-state poultry and waterfowl exhibitor. He was fond of flowers and raising canaries as well.
He was able to remain at his home for his final three years with the assistance of care givers Delores Siefkas, Tabatha Woodrome, and Janet Geromini.
He was preceded in death by his: sisters, Norma, Doris, and Cleota Armstrong and Lois Drillon; his brothers, Leland and Kenneth Armstrong; and a niece, Doris Jean Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, September 8, at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton with burial to follow in the Pauline Cemetery in Rutledge. Officiating the service will be Terry L. Lambert. Ralph Armstrong, Randy Armstrong, Steve Armstrong, Jeff Armstrong, Darrin Kelley, and Trevor Armstrong will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation is from 3-8 p.m., Thursday, September 7, at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton with the family present from 6-8 p.m. The Hale City Lodge #216 A.F. & A.M. will conduct a Masonic service at 7 p.m. during the visitation on Thursday.
Memorials are suggested to the Pauline Cemetery or donor's choice and can be left at or mailed to the Gerth Funeral Chapel, 115 S. Main, Memphis, MO, 63555.
Condolences may be sent to Mr. Armstrong's family via email at [email protected].
Arrangements are under the direction of Gerth Funeral Service from its Memphis chapel.
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Additional sibling: Lois Leoma (Armstrong) Drillon 3/3/23 - 12/22/96
He was born the son of Ora Earl and Margret Ann (Wright) Armstrong on August 18, 1927 in rural Greensburg, in Scotland County, MO.
Merlin was a bright student, graduating two years early from Granger (MO) High School at the age of 16. He then graduated from Chillicothe (MO) Business School.
He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II and served in Army Intelligence. He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD.
He joined the Arbela Baptist Church at an early age, later transferring his membership to the Wyaconda Baptist Church. When the Armstrongs moved to Carrollton in 1971, he joined the Carrollton First Baptist Church, where he was a long time deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Merlin went to work for the Santa Fe railroad at the age of 17 in McCook, IL. He then transferred to Ft. Madison, IA, to Wyaconda, to Carrollton, and Marceline. He was a Depot Station Agent, retiring after 45 years of service.
Merlin was also a 50-year Mason, being active in the Hale City Lodge # 216 A.F. & A.M. and in the Marshall Eastern Star Chapter #408. He was Past Master and Past District Deputy Grand Lecturer and Master of the Lodge. Merlin was also a past worthy patron of the Vesta Chapter #5 Order of the Eastern Star in Carrollton.
Merlin was a multi-state poultry and waterfowl exhibitor. He was fond of flowers and raising canaries as well.
He was able to remain at his home for his final three years with the assistance of care givers Delores Siefkas, Tabatha Woodrome, and Janet Geromini.
He was preceded in death by his: sisters, Norma, Doris, and Cleota Armstrong and Lois Drillon; his brothers, Leland and Kenneth Armstrong; and a niece, Doris Jean Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, September 8, at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton with burial to follow in the Pauline Cemetery in Rutledge. Officiating the service will be Terry L. Lambert. Ralph Armstrong, Randy Armstrong, Steve Armstrong, Jeff Armstrong, Darrin Kelley, and Trevor Armstrong will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation is from 3-8 p.m., Thursday, September 7, at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton with the family present from 6-8 p.m. The Hale City Lodge #216 A.F. & A.M. will conduct a Masonic service at 7 p.m. during the visitation on Thursday.
Memorials are suggested to the Pauline Cemetery or donor's choice and can be left at or mailed to the Gerth Funeral Chapel, 115 S. Main, Memphis, MO, 63555.
Condolences may be sent to Mr. Armstrong's family via email at [email protected].
Arrangements are under the direction of Gerth Funeral Service from its Memphis chapel.
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Additional sibling: Lois Leoma (Armstrong) Drillon 3/3/23 - 12/22/96
Inscription
PFC US ARMY WORLD WAR II
Family Members
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Lois Leoma Armstrong Drillon
1923–1996
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John Kenneth Armstrong
1924–1966
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Ila Kathlene Armstrong Saxon-Schutz
1926–2021
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Ernest Leland Armstrong
1929–1946
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Norma Loise Armstrong
1931–1938
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Doris Lucille Armstrong
1933–1944
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Iris Ilene Armstrong
1934–2014
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Cleota Pearl Armstrong
1936–1936
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Vancel Keith Armstrong
1939–2017
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Harold Gale Armstrong
1940–2008
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Edwin Dallas Armstrong
1942–2021
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