In Memory of

Oliver

"Merle"

Shell

Obituary for Oliver "Merle" Shell

Oliver “Merle” Shell, 96, of Atchison, KS died on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, Jan. 12th, 2018 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral home with Fr. Jon Hullinger, Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Atchison. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, Jan. 11th, 2018 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Quilt of Valor, and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Merle was born on May 10, 1921 in Effingham, KS the son of Clyde and Daisey (Hitchner) Shell. He graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1939. He served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946. Merle was wounded in Germany during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. He returned home and worked for the former JG Decorating, Atchison, Kaufman Flooring, Atchison, then Ford Motor Company, and then worked 25 years as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, Atchison. Merle was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, the VFW Post # 1175 and the American Legion Post # 6, and served as President and Secretary for many years for the I.O.O F. Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, camping, dancing and especially spending time with his grandchildren.

He was married to Noami Jeanne Parrett on July 9, 1944 in Atchison County. She preceded him in death on Dec. 24, 1981. Survivors include a son, David “Spider” (Kris) Shell, Atchison, KS, three daughters, Jeannie Delfelder, Atchison, KS, Kathleen “Ann” (Jim) Moore, Havensville, KS and Carole Shell, Atchison, KS, a sister, Dorothy “Dot” Underwood, Atchison, KS, two sister-in-laws, Jo Marie Shell, Holton, KS and Helen Lund, Atchison, KS, seven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. His parents, wife, two brothers, Chester and Rawlin Shell, and one sister, Laura Leonard, preceded him in death.