Merlin J. Fink, 86, of Eloy, Ariz., formerly of Atchison, Kan., passed away, Nov. 29, 2016, in Arizona. He was born March 9, 1930, to Leo Louis and Edna Louise (Terry) Fink.

On Sept. 14, 1955, Merlin married Mary Louise Jauernig. She survives at the home. They were blessed with three sons, Tony (Carol), Mark (Cheryl) and Michael (Janice); he had five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; two sisters, Eileen Wilk and Angela (Dale) Forge.

Merlin was preceded in death by two sisters, Evalyn Linaweaver and Regina Aaron; and three brothers, Gerald Fink, Albert Fink and Anthony Fink.

Merlin served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. Merlin worked at Hawk’s Hatchery and LFM-Rockwell now Bradken in Atchison. A few years after retiring in 1992 from Rockwell, he and Mary Louise made their home in Eloy, Ariz.

Merlin loved life to its fullest and enjoyed every minute of it. He always had a laugh and a smile that would warm your heart. If you visited the park where they lived in Arizona as a stranger, you would leave a friend.

Visitation beginning with the rosary will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 at the R. L. Leintz Funeral Home (4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth, Kansas). Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, at St. Joseph of the Valley Church (31151 207th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas) Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the VFM in Atchison or St. Joseph of the Valley Catholic Church.