Merlin D. Ring, 80, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance.
He was born June 18, 1941 in Alliance to George and Cleo (Rentfro) Ring. Merlin grew up South of Ashby on his family’s ranch in Garden County.
On August 24, 1965 he was united in marriage to Tonchita “Toni” J. Carpenter at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alliance.
In 1971 Merlin and his family moved to Hyannis where he began his career with the Consolidated Telephone Company. After 39 dedicated years he retired in December 2010.
While living in Hyannis, Merlin was actively involved by serving for numerous years on the Village Board including many terms as chairman. He was an active member of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church which he helped build and maintain. He also served on the Hyannis Area Community Foundation Fund and the Cow Country Health Foundation extensively raising funds for the medical clinic in Hyannis.
He is survived by his wife, Toni, his daughters, Kimberli (Arthur) Escalera of Scottsbluff, Shonda (Mark) Sheets of Alliance, Mitzi (Peter) Lenz of Lincoln and Merla Heuertz of Oklahoma City, his grandchildren, Erin Lenz, Tyler Lenz, Kayla Sheets, Jaden Heuertz, Jalyn Heuertz and Jevon Heuertz. He is also survived by his sister, June Thompson of Kansas and his nieces and nephews.
His parents, his brother, Virgil and his wife, Betty, his brother-in-law, Jack Thompson, and in-laws, Don and Joy Carpenter preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be Saturday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Hyannis. The Reverend Richard C. Mueller will officiate. Burial will be in the Whitman Cemetery. A luncheon at the Hyannis church will follow the Whitman burial. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 20 from 1-6 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Grant County Rescue Service towards the new ambulance fund.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.