OBITUARY: Merle Wayne Robinson

Merle Wayne Robinson, 84, of Hesston, Kan., formerly of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday morning, Dec. 28, 2020, in El Dorado, Kan. He was born Feb. 28, 1936, in Redfield, Kan., the son of Earl Kenneth and Frances Mary (McGuire) Robinson. He married Ruth A. Jeffress May 4, 1986 in Wichita, Kan., and she survives of the home.

Merle served two years in the National Guard, and then four years in the U.S. Navy. He moved to Hesston, Kan., with his brother Lynn and they both went to work at Hay and Forge and learned to weld. Merle eventually became an inspector at the plant, at which he worked for 15 years. He also worked a second job where he learned to be an electrician. He became a master electrician and started Robinson Electric in Hesston.

Merle was an inventor, and his wheels of creativity were always rolling. He had two patents, with his latest one being “The Whiz-Twister,” a combination screwdriver and wire-twisting tool. He could always be found with paper and pen drawing new ideas that came to him. You could find Merle at Casey’s drinking coffee and talking with the locals. Always with a joke and a smile.

In addition to his wife Ruth of 34 years, Merle is also survived by his son Richard Robinson and wife Jolinda, of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; a stepdaughter, Laura Sue Charles and husband Shawn, of Kansas City, Mo.; two stepsons, Jeffrey Dunn of Newton, Kan., and Steven Dunn of Wichita, Kan.; four brothers, Morris Robinson and wife Darlene of Fort Scott, Kan., Lynn Robinson of Redfield, Kan., Jerry Robinson and wife Carol, of Fort Scott, Kan., and Lyle Robinson and wife Callie, of Redfield, Kan.; a brother-in-law, Don Ayres; five grandchildren, Sheila Carlisle, Shirene Robinson, Shawn Robinson, Joshua Robinson, and Kyle Charles; nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Merle was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen Bolton, his parents, a sister, Anita Ayres, and a sister- in-law, Ellen Robinson.

Following cremation, Celebration of Life services will be held at a later date. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

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