Merle D. Black Sr., 79, died May 30, 2010, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born Aug. 27, 1930, in Hutchinson, to Vernon Lee and Jennie Saloma Shipley Black.

He was a longtime Hutchinson resident. He retired from L.T.V. Aircraft Co., of Garland, Texas. He was member of Mt. Olivet Worship Center, a former member of the Hutchinson Gem and Mineral Club and enjoyed music, singing and playing his guitar.

On Nov. 27, 1948, he married Joan Marvella Starks in Harrison, Ark. She survives.

Other survivors include: sons, Merle "Dean" Black Jr. and wife Cindy, Watauga, Texas, and Mark E. Black, Haven; brothers, Elvin, Chaparral, N.M., and Charles, Whitney, Texas; a sister, Lauretta Black, Wellford, S.C.; four grandchildren, Misty Farrell, Troy, Corey and Brandon Black; two great-grandchildren, Alyssa Reynolds and Aiden Black.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 3, 2010, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastors Kenn and Luanne Haddaway officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott's, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Mt. Olivet Worship Center in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave his family a condolence or remembrance.