Obituary: Merle H. Kavanagh

Merle H. Kavanagh, 81, of Walnut, Kansas, died at 7:08 a.m., February 1, 2017, in the Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, Kansas
Merle was born June 9, 1935 at rural Girard, Kansas, a son of Frank and Leona A. (Vogts) Kavanagh.  He grew up in rural Girard and attended Girard Schools.
He served his country in the US Army for nine years.
He married Josephine Buhl in Germany.  They divorced.
He married Mildred Pauline Moon on February 13, 1972 in Corpus Christi, Texas.  She survives of the home.
Merle was a roofer before retiring in 1997.
Merle was an avid sportsman; he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was a member of the Gard Lee Post No. 292, American Legion of Walnut and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors  include three sons; Tom Kavanagh and his wife, Ann, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Mike Kavanagh and his wife, Pam, of Pierce City, Missouri, Bill Kavanagh and his wife, Jane, of Girard,  five daughters; Christi Bayer and her husband, Lester, of St. Paul, Tammy Blackburn and her husband, Mark, of St. Paul, Janice Norris and her husband, Stacy, of Walnut, Mary Franklin and her husband, Bill, of Girard, Marcia Seims and her husband, Dave, of Navare, Florida, twenty two grandchildren, thirty seven great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild, one brother; Bill Kavanagh of Pittsburg, Kansas and two sisters; Marilyn Bradshaw and Crystal Larmar, both of Girard.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter.
Memorial Services for Merle Kavanagh will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Girard with Pastor Rick Prideaux Officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Gard Lee Post No. 292, American Legion of Walnut and these may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W. St. John, P.O. Box 258 Girard, Kansas 66743
Condolence may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.