VALLEY CENTER, KS
Merkel, Edwin William, 83, Merkel Airplane Company owner, retired Aeronautical Engineer from Learjet, Cessna and Boeing Aircraft, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother and uncle, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2012. He was born in Glenwood Landing, New York to Joseph and Mary Elaine (Hogan) Merkel. He attended Clarkson College and Wichita State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. He served in the United States Army during World War II; United States Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard, retiring in 1972 and Air Force Reserve in 1978. He designed, built and flew the world's finest all metal Aerobatic Biplane "The Merkel Mark IIC Maverick" with its first flight being April 11, 1973. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Johnson Merkel; son, Lt. Col. Jack (Sara) Merkel of Chesapeake, VA; daughters, Leslie Todd and Nancy Snyder, both of Las Vegas, NV; step daughter, Julia (Lacey) Galstad of Santa Barbara, CA; grandchildren, David Snyder, Jeremiah Todd, Zachary Todd, Ryan Merkel, Evan Merkel, Aden Merkel and Eryn Merkel; brother, Peter Merkel of Annandale, VA; sister-in-laws, Jeannie Merkel of Bahamas, Thespina "Dessie" Merkel of Annandale, VA and Marie (Kent Neddenriep) Johnson; many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He is preceded by his parents and brother, Joseph Merkel. Ed received the Wright Brothers' Master Pilot Award and just published "Check Six: A Fighter Pilot's Diary of Misadventures". Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 17, at Christ Lutheran Church, 5356 N. Hillside, Wichita; and an Irish Wake will be held at 4:30 p.m., at Savutes, 3301 N. Broadway, Wichita. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be designated to the Edwin W. Merkel Memorial Fund for the WSU Foundation Archival Library, P.O. Box 242, Valley Center, Ks 67147. Baker Funeral Home, 100 S. Cedar, Valley Center. www.bakerfhvc.com