Merton Walter Luce

Merton Walter Luce, 93, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024, at North Point Skilled Nursing Center, Paola, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church in Ottawa. Family will greet friends from 10:00-11:00am prior to services.

Interment will take place at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Wellsville, Kansas.

Merton was born Monday, April 7, 1930, in Pontiac, Michigan, as the oldest son of Walter and Gladys (Miller) Luce.

Merton graduated from Napoleon High School, Napoleon, Michigan, with the class of 1947, and from Jackson Jr. College in 1949 with an Associates of Arts Degree. He then exited education for two years to serve in the United States Army Medical Corps during the Korean War. His military service enabled him to have hours credited him to continue his schooling at the Detroit Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1957. He continued on that path to Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, where he received his Master of Science Degree in Biochemistry in 1964.

Merton was united in marriage on September 2, 1956, to Elaine Schrader. They joyfully celebrated 54 years together before she preceded him in death on February 25, 2011. They served one another and the Lord well, in many capacities, and he modeled for his community and family sacrificial love toward Elaine as she suffered a debilitating illness for a number of years at the end of her life.

“Mert” and Elaine moved their family from Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1965 to rural Miami County, due to a request to care for her father’s farm for 1 year as he worked in Europe. Merton had declared he would never live in Kansas and Elaine had stated that she would never live on a farm. The farm, however, became a way of life and source of joy for their growing family, and there they remained. The farm, a perfect location for raising their family and serving the Lord, was their home until the late 1980’s when they relocated to Topeka, Kansas for a job transfer. After retirement, in the 1990’s they moved once more to make their home in Ottawa, Kansas.

He was a life-long pharmacist working for the State of Kansas from 1965 until 1991 at the Osawatomie State Hospital and then Topeka State Hospital. During Merton’s career he also moonlighted in pharmaceutical retail at Kramer Drug Store in Ottawa, Sinclair Drug in Osawatomie, Messer Rexall Drug Company in Paola, and Asher Pharmacy in Paola.

Merton was the Director at the Amazing Grace Baptist Camp for several years post-retirement and served as a Deacon, Treasurer, Song Leader, and many other important roles at Calvary Baptist Church. He delivered for the Meals on Wheels program, loved playing board games, telling jokes, watching Chiefs football and Jayhawk basketball, and witnessing to his faith in Jesus as he visited with people. Merton loved being with his church family and friends and his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine; parents Walter and Gladys; brother Max; and granddaughter Eliza Luce.

Survivors include sons James M. Luce (Lisa) of Springfield, Missouri, Paul W. Luce (Robyn) of Spring Hill, Kansas, and John C. Luce (Shirley) of Salina, Kansas; daughter Karen L. Hudnall (Rodger) of Gardnerville, Nevada; sister Marilyn West of Flagstaff, Arizona; ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Calvary Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.