Merrill Duane Paslay

HAZELTON - Merrill Duane Paslay was born in Topeka, Kansas, on September 13, 1926, to George W. and Christina Hedstrom Paslay. He left this world to begin his journey in perfection on June 18, 2017.

Merrill grew up in Topeka and graduated from Seaman High School in 1944. He entered the United States Army Air Corps in February 1945, and was eventually deployed in the occupation forces in Japan for one year. Before Merrill was sent to Japan, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Lewis, on October 2, 1945. After he was discharged, Merrill farmed with his father-in-law and worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Kansas.

In 1956, his name was “drawn” in the Rupert Square for an opportunity to homestead a farm. He moved his family to Idaho to develop that farm in the Kasota area. Eventually, Merrill started Paslay Agency to sell insurance for National Farmers Union and continued to farm. Helen died on November 23, 1967. Merrill married Virginia Langdon Messinger on October 18, 1968, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Merrill and Virginia eventually worked together in the insurance agency until they retired. Virginia died July 7, 2013.

Merrill enjoyed camping and fishing in the Stanley Basin and at Island Park, but his true love was family gatherings and farming. He continued to be involved in the farm until his death.

He was a member of Hope Community Church in Paul, Idaho, and had served the church family as a trustee, moderator and deacon.

Merrill is survived by his children, Sue (John) Tarp and Dan (Connie) Paslay; stepson, Steve (LaJuana) Messinger; and one sister, Diane (Skip) Ellis. His extended family includes grandchildren, Sarah (Jon) Lord, Rachel (Rico) Castillero, Jared (Aly) Paslay, Kyle (Magdalena) Paslay; step-grandchildren, Marcy (Richard) Calvert, Christy Brooks, Carey (Brandon) Smith, Christy Elrod, Natalie (Nick) Smith, and Mandy (Ray) Cumberland-Messinger; seven great-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren; and eight step-great-great-grandchildren.

Merrill was preceded in death by Helen and Virginia; two brothers, Bill and Mort Paslay; stepdaughter, Janice Blakey; and stepson-in-law, Ron Blakey.

Services to honor Merrill and celebrate his eternal life in Christ will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Hope Community Church, 25 N. 4th St. E., Paul, Idaho; officiating will be Pastor Warren Rachelle. Burial will be in the Rochester Cemetery in North Topeka, Kansas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.