Merle Elmer Wilson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Merle Elmer Wilson was born June 26th, 1920 at Spencer, South Dakota to Marion and Anna Wilson. Merle passed into the presence of the Lord on June 12th, 2010 just 2 weeks before his 90th birthday, which he was looking forward to. He went through grade school and high school in Spencer, S.D. and 2 years of college at Brookings S.D. He was in R.O.T.C. but when he was called up for army service he was turned down because of a problem with his heart. He moved to Oregon in 1942 and met his future wife in the Christian Church in Willamina as they both sang in the choir. Merle and Lynn Greene were married in the Christian Church April 30th, 1944 and have celebrated their 66th anniversary. They have been blessed with four children, Gary Dean, Bruce Alan, Brian Lyle, and Carol Lynn. Their son, Brian Lyle Wilson, was killed in VietNam in March 1970. The family enjoyed many trips. Boating, camping, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing created many long lasting and happy memories. Merle was commissioned with the American Sunday School Union in 1954 and served in Nebraska for 6 years, in the Eugene Oregon area for one year and then moved to the Salem 'field' until 1980. He then did Financial work for ASSU (Now known as AMF) for 8 years, which included traveling throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho) until retirement. He became interim pastor, then associate pastor at West Salem Baptist Church. He did many hospital calls and visitation to shut-ins. Merle never really retired... he just retreaded. He was invited to become pastor at Bethel Community Church in Polk County. After ten years he retired again and a new pastor was called. He was asked to be the associate pastor. He continued doing weekly Bible classes and vesper services in low income housing villages when needed. His greatest love was teaching the Bible to anyone who was interested. He especially enjoyed teaching Dispensations from his big chart that we made while living in Nebraska. His last thoughts and plans were to have a private home Bible study class with his children, grand children and great grand children. Merle is now with the Lord and enjoying the glories of Heaven that he has been teaching about for over fifty years. We will be having a great family reunion in the near future. He is survived by his wife, sons Gary of Milwaukie, Oregon, Bruce and daughter-in-law Patricia of Renton, Washington, daughter Carol and son-in-law Tom Covington of Dallas, Oregon, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Memorial Srvice will be 10:00am Saturday, June 26, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon.

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Merle Elmer Wilson

June 26, 1920 - June 12, 2010