Merle E. Carder, 87, was welcomed into his heavenly home on Sunday, May 20, 2007, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Merle was born in a farmhouse near Arlington, Kan., on Jan. 13, 1920, during a blinding blizzard to James Elmer and Katie Adell Carder.

He graduated from Argonia High School, Argonia, Kan. in 1939, where he was active in several varsity sports. As team captain during his senior year, he led the basketball squad to the state high school championship tournament. After graduation, he attended the Roger Hornsby Baseball College with the dream of playing in the big leagues. In May 1941, Merle became a supervisor at Stearman Airplane Co. (now Boeing Co.) in Wichita, Kan. During his 35 years as a supervisor at Boeing, in experimental flight testing, he participated in many innovative programs including the first air-launched ballistic missile from a B-52. He also served for two years in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

Merle left Boeing with an early retirement in 1976 to pursue ministry opportunities for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which included serving as building and grounds coordinator for Emmanuel Baptist Church and Schools in Toledo, Ohio, and later Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Mo. Merle and Earnestine later lived in Hutchinson where they were active members in Young at Hearts.

Merle married Earnestine Louise Laswell of Pratt, Kan., April 18, 1943. To this union were born two sons and a daughter whom he loved dearly. He enjoyed fishing and outdoor sports with his sons, served as Scoutmaster to them, and had a special relationship with his daughter. Although he and his wife had been active in church, not until 38 years of age was Merle confronted with his need for personal repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ apart from works of personal merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). After being born again, his volunteer ministries included Sunday school teacher, deacon, Jail Bible Studies, and Backyard Bible Clubs. He and his wife also helped establish an inner city church in downtown Toledo. Until the time of his death, Merle was an active and loved member of Midway Baptist Church and later Berrien County Baptist Church. He especially loved and was loved by the little children of the church.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Earnestine Carder; two sons, Pastor David (Veronica) Carder, of Placentia, Calif., the Reverend Stanley (Sally) Carder of Smyrna, Ga.; a daughter, Dr. Samuel (Karen Carder) Logan of St. Joseph, Mich.; 11 grandchildren as follows, Jeanna (David) Pascut, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Christy (Aaron) Kilmer, Azusa, Calif.; Jon Carder, San Diego, Calif., Aimee (Leo) Buckley, Fullerton, Calif., Samuel Logan Jr., Washington, D.C., Joshua (Rachel) Logan, Albany, N.Y., Nathan (Cherith) Logan, Largo, Fla., David Logan, St. Joseph, Mich., Kimberly (Jake) Vargo, Christchurch, New Zealand, Jeremy (Deborah) Carder, Smyrna, Ga., Jason Carder, Smyrna, Ga.; and six great grandchildren.

Merle will be dearly missed by his friends and family who await the glorious hope of reunion in Heaven with Him and our Lord and Savior.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Berrien County Baptist Church, 5940 St. Joseph Avenue, Stevensville, Mich., with Pastor James Whitman officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, in Pratt, Kan. on May 25, 2007, at 11 a.m. Graveside services conducted by Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at Kerley-Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Mich. Memorials may be made to the church children's ministry. Friends wishing to send a condolence may do so at the guest book at www.starks- menchinger.com.