Merle W. Nilhas

Merle W. Nilhas, 85, died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the Kansas Soldiers' Home, Halsey Hall, Fort Dodge.
    He was born Feb. 3, 1923, to Frank and Hattie (Hendrickson) Nilhas at North Roscoe on a farm in Hodgeman County, where he attended country school. He married Audrey Messer on Aug. 15, 1957, at Fort Dodge. She survives.
    He was inducted into the Army on Jan. 13, 1944, and served his country in the European Theater in Naples, Italy. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, a Distinguished Unit Badge and a World War II Victory Medal.
    He was honorably discharged on Nov. 22, 1945, and returned to Hodgeman County to resume his career in farming and ranching. He retired in 1988 and moved to Dodge City and in May 1996, he moved to Fort Dodge.
    He was a member of the Church of Christ, Dodge City, and a life member of the Howard Gotschall VFW  Post 1714 and DAV.
    Other survivors include his son, Jeffrey Nilhas and wife, Pam, Dodge City; three daughters, Norma Noland, Dodge City, Merlene Nilhas, Fort Dodge, and Barbara Rich and husband, Doug, Lawrence; two brothers, Lloyd Nilhas, WaKeeney, and Ray Nilhas, Dodge City; his sister, Mae Rasmussen, Jetmore; four granddaughters; and two great-grandsons.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepson, Bill Huffman; a sister, Jessie Hunt; and a great-granddaughter, Fiona Rutledge.
    The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Christ, Dodge City, with Anthony Lyons presiding. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, with military rites by Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714.
     Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the church or Halsey Hall at Fort Dodge in care of Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.burkhart-ziegler.com.