Merwin Frye passed away from this life on February 26, 2024, at the age of 88, and he wants you to know that his work here is done. He received a call at his home in Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas; an offer one can’t refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment came with security and a faithful promise: a reunion with family and friends Merwin had not seen in a long time.
Born and raised in Little River, Kansas, he was of German-Austria-Scottish decent; Merwin was hardened on the outside, but warm and caring in the middle. The first of two children born to Ross Birchard and Martha Elizabeth (Willinger) Frye in Little River, Kansas on October 15, 1935, he grew up living on a small farm near Little River. After his school years as a Little River Redskin, Merwin chose to continue his education and graduated from Adela Hale Business College in Hutchinson.
In December 1958, a young, registered nurse, named Lenna Reynolds, whisked him off his feet to the altar in the First Baptist Church, Hutchinson, Kansas where he was a church member. Merwin was an office employee of Morton Salt Company, South Hutchinson, Kansas, for over 40 years, working as a traffic clerk. After Merwin retired from Morton Salt Company, he and Lenna moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where they lived for almost twenty years before moving to Hesston, Kansas.
Merwin was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Eldon Dee and Sue (Sponamore) Frye.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lenna Frye of Hesston, two sons: Robin Ross Frye (Karen) of Lewisville, Texas, and Rick Erwin Frye (Alma) of Grand Prairie, Texas, one granddaughter, Elizabeth Jane Frye, four step-grandchildren, Rachel Diaz, Michael Diaz, David Diaz, and Elizabeth Diaz, and many nieces and nephews.
Merwin was one with many varied interests in life. He served in various capacities in his church which included almost 40 years as a door greeter, various committees, youth sponsor, Sunday School teacher, deacon, and usher. Merwin played basketball in high school and fast pitch softball for the Morton Salt Team. He served as an assistant baseball coach, was a hunter-safety instructor for over 25 years, a supporter of the Shriners hospital in St. Louis, and belonged to the Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite Consistory. He loved to golf and was an avid golfer in his retirement years. Merwin also served on the Bella Vista Golf committee, Village Pride Committee to beautify Bella Vista, and the cemetery board. He belonged to Forest Hills Church in Bella Vista and upon moving to Hesston, he joined the Little River Congregational Christian Church.
Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at Bean Cemetery, Little River, with Pastor Ted Weis of the Little River Congregational Church officiating. Masonic honors will also be conducted.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Little River Congregational Church in Little River or the Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchison, KS 67501.