Obituary for Merle Couch
Merle Couch, of De Soto, KS, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the age of 71. A visitation will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 3:00 pm with services to follow at 4:00 pm at De Soto Baptist Church, 8655 Copeland Way, De Soto, KS 66018.
The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to Northwest Consolidated Fire Dept. or Douglas County Visiting Nurses Hospice.
Merle was born to parents Carroll Cleo “Bud” Couch and Betty Ruth Bigler Couch on March 7, 1947, in Gardner, KS. He grew up as an only child and graduated from De Soto High School. After meeting the love of his life, Elizabeth Grisham, at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in June 1967, they married on January 20, 1968. They had two children, Kristi Hinkle and Megan Rudy.
In 1974, he took a position as a hydraulic drill operator for Union Quarries as a member of Local 663. After 20 years at the quarry, he went on to become an over-the-road truck driver for the next 15 years. He enjoyed driving the truck all over the country, but especially enjoyed driving an MRI trailer to small towns in Kansas. He was a licensed EMT through Johnson County Community College who volunteered for many years on the De Soto Ambulance service. He was a member and served as chairman of Johnson County Rural Water District. Merle was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 40 where he served as Master of the Lodge in 2016. He was a member of the De Soto Baptist Church.
Merle is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Couch; his daughter, Kristi Hinkle; and his daughter, Megan Rudy; son-in-law, Aubry Rudy; and two grandchildren, Cole Rudy and Claire Rudy; as well as a host of friends and other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Betty Couch; and mother-in-law, Betty Grisham.
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The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to Northwest Consolidated Fire Dept. or Douglas County Visiting Nurses Hospice.
Merle was born to parents Carroll Cleo “Bud” Couch and Betty Ruth Bigler Couch on March 7, 1947, in Gardner, KS. He grew up as an only child and graduated from De Soto High School. After meeting the love of his life, Elizabeth Grisham, at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in June 1967, they married on January 20, 1968. They had two children, Kristi Hinkle and Megan Rudy.
In 1974, he took a position as a hydraulic drill operator for Union Quarries as a member of Local 663. After 20 years at the quarry, he went on to become an over-the-road truck driver for the next 15 years. He enjoyed driving the truck all over the country, but especially enjoyed driving an MRI trailer to small towns in Kansas. He was a licensed EMT through Johnson County Community College who volunteered for many years on the De Soto Ambulance service. He was a member and served as chairman of Johnson County Rural Water District. Merle was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 40 where he served as Master of the Lodge in 2016. He was a member of the De Soto Baptist Church.
Merle is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Couch; his daughter, Kristi Hinkle; and his daughter, Megan Rudy; son-in-law, Aubry Rudy; and two grandchildren, Cole Rudy and Claire Rudy; as well as a host of friends and other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Betty Couch; and mother-in-law, Betty Grisham.
To plant a tree in memory of Merle Couch, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
5
May
3:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
P.O. Box E
De Soto, KS 66018
Memorial Service
Saturday
5
May
4:00 PM
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
P.O. Box E
De Soto, KS 66018
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