Merle Dean Toews, age 82, formerly of rural Valley Center, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020, surrounded by family in his home in Wichita, KS.  Merle was born in 1938 to Harvey and Tena Toews in Hillsboro, KS.  He grew up farming in the LaFontaine, KS, area, and attended Fredonia High School, graduating in 1955 with excellence in Vocational Mechanics and Agriculture.  Following High School, he served in the U.S. Air Force for the 585 ^th Communications and Guidance Squadron as a Gasoline Engine and Support Repairman at Bitburg Air Base in Germany.  After completion of his service, he returned to Kansas and settled in Chanute, opening a successful auto repair business.  In 1961, he married his wife of 58 years, Marie Ann (Raney) Toews and was blessed with five children.  Merle and Marie made their choice to serve the Lord on December 31, 1961, and he continued to faithfully prepare for eternity throughout his life.

In the 1970s, Merle moved his family to Wichita and worked for both Schofield and Bulger Pontiac dealerships as an Auto-body Repairman and Manager.  In 1975, the family moved to rural Valley Center and he lent his automotive expertise to the collision estimating business.  He later owned and operated the Wichita Property Damage Appraisers franchise.  Merle semi-retired in 2000 and settled into the role of loving grandfather and gardener.  He moved again from Valley Center to Wichita in late 2018 due to declining health and finished out his days in the care of his wife Marie.  He was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Tena Toews, brother Van Toews, and brother-in-law W. R. "Bud" Baker.  He is survived by his wife Marie Toews, and sister Dolores (Toews) Baker.  His children include: Tina Hancock (Philip), Dale Toews (Sheryl), Scott Toews (Dawn), Dee Harris (Gary), and Randall Toews (Tina).  Grandchildren include: Adelia and Spencer Hancock, Blake and Chelsea Toews, Alec Toews (Hannah), Jacqueline Toews, Mason and Katelyn Harris, Jacob Toews (Chelsee), Amber Fleming, and Alesha Martin (Ryan).  Great-grandchildren include: Jude Toews, and Hunter and Hadley Martin.

Merle was a lifelong animal lover and caregiver/guardian of many pets.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to the Valley Center Animal League, 141 S. Park Avenue, Valley Center KS, 67147 or to the American Diabetes Association.

https://vcanimalleague.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ValleyCenterAnimals/

Graveside service will be held for the family Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Bentley, Kansas.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com