Merle Richard Buell, 90, died peacefully at his Lincoln home Feb. 9, 2016. He was born July 13, 1925 in the farm home near Murdock, Ne. He was the second of five children born to Floy Lyle Buell and Charlie McKinley Buell.

Charlie Buell's untimely death just before Merle's 12th birthday left him shouldering responsibilities at an early age. He graduated from Murdock High school in May of 1942 and assumed responsibility for farming and providing for his family.

Merle and Phyllis Lee Bornemeier were married April 3, 1949. They farmed near Alvo for the first two years of their married life and moved to rural Syracuse for the next 13 years. They were blessed with three children, Ken, Mark and Carolyn, born at Syracuse.

Merle was active in many Ag organizations; DHIA, ASCS committeeman and Extension Board Member. He enjoyed implementing livestock improvement experiments by cooperating with the Extension service. He was employed by the Soil Conservation Service during fall and winter seasons and built many miles of terraces for local farmers.

He liked to weld and invented or improved several farming implements and livestock handling devices. He was active in the Syracuse Methodist Church and Merle and Phyllis sponsored the Methodist Youth Fellowship for many years.

The family returned to Merle's home farm in 1964. Here, as in Otoe County, 4-H was an important part of family life. He served as a leader for the Piston Poppers Tractor Club, Extension Board Member and President, as well as the Cass County Fair Board during the time the present fairgrounds were established. The family was chosen to represent Cass County as the WOW-TV Farm Family of the Week.

He was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge.

Merle was the rural mail carrier for Murdock 19 years. Following retirement he enjoyed working about the farm and visiting family.

In March of 2013, Merle and Phyllis moved to Gramercy Hill in Lincoln. He is survived by his wife of 66 years; son Ken and wife Julie of Raymore, MO.; son Mark and wife Sondra of Murdock; daughter Carolyn and husband Brian Geschke of Dakota City, NE. His grandchildren and great grandchildren are Lee and Brianna Buell, Isabella, Bryant, Nigel, Abigail and Lucy of Port au Prince, Haiti; Misty (Buell) and Jesse Weifenbach, Titus and Marcus of Thornton, CO.; Dustin Buell of Chillicothe, Mo., and Heidi Buell of Tegusagapla, Hondouras; Clayton Geschke, Lincoln, NE; Meredith (Geschke) and Brian Martinich, Christopher and Alyssa of Palo, IA; brother, George (Maxine) Buell and sister Wanda (Roy) Stubbendick, both of Lincoln, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Lyle Buell and wife, Sue; sister, Idella Pyle and husband, Darrell and brother-in-law, Elmer Ross.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Murdock on Feb. 13, 2016.

Visitation will be held on Friday February 12 from 1 P.M. until 8 P.M. with family greeting friends from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. with Masonic services starting at 7:30 P.M. all at the funeral home in Elmwood.

Burial will be at Wabash Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Wabash Cemetery, Elmwood Rescue Squad or the Cass County Fairgrounds Landscaping.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Elmwood, NE 402-994-6575