Merle Dean Schwartz Jr.

With heavy hearts, we announce the news that Merle Dean Schwartz, Jr., age 80, passed unexpectedly Monday, March 17, 2025. Merle was born on February 26, 1945 to Eva Mae (Biggs) & Merle Dean Schwartz, Sr. **Merle Sr. had passed away while a Prisoner of War, during WWII. Eva remarried Larkin Thomas Brown who raised Merle as his own – to this day some of Merle's extended family still think his last name is Brown.**

Merle Dean Schwartz, Jr. was born in Perry, Oklahoma though raised in Wichita, KS. He was educated in Wichita, KS, graduating from South High School. Merle participated in the Air Force ROTC through high school and continued through college. He attended Wichita State University graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Mathematics. Upon graduating college, he fulfilled his commitment to the Air Force Reserves, though subsequently was honorably discharged as a Sole Surviving Son of a Prisoner of War.

Merle worked as a grocery sacker at the local Safeway during high school, and a local Drive-In as well. He began working at Beechcraft in college through the cooperative education program, then continued to work for them after college. Merle was there through many changes in Beechcraft’s history, working his way up into managing the scientific computing department and eventually retired from Raytheon in 2009.

Merle married JoAnn (Jones) in 1967. They made their home in Wichita, and had three daughters, Brandi Michelle, Kristen Marie, and Tauni Lynn. Several years later, the two divorced.

Throughout the years, Merle enjoyed a variety of activities: playing cards with friends, bowling leagues, roofing houses, carpentry, and he was even known to upholster a classic car or two. After retirement, Merle enjoyed several trips to Las Vegas with friends, piecing together his family tree and tracking down the history of his family. He loved his rescue dog Mater, who never ceased to keep Merle on his toes, and brought smiles to his face. Merle also collected coins and kept up with the latest tech. He was passionate about staying up to date with the technology of the day, whether that was researching the latest iOS updates, the installation of computers, wiring up devices to the internet, or various tech gadgets that he purchased. His family and friends knew that Merle was the best tech support around and he was always happy to help solve whatever problem they had.

Most of all, Merle enjoyed spending time with his daughters and their families. He has gone on many trips with them including several day trips to Oklahoma, many summer holidays at the pond in Winfield, annual trips to the Kansas State Fair, a getaway to St. Maarten, and a graduation trip to Disney World to name a few. Merle’s favorite activity, above all, were the Wednesday night dinners with his daughters for the past 25+ years. Those dinners were the highlight of each week for all of them.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Merle Schwartz Sr., Eva Mae Brown and Larkin Brown.

Merle is survived by his brother, Billy Brown; sister, Sheryl and husband Phil Jimenez; daughters, Brandi and husband, Steve Rising, Kristen and Ricky Harris, Tauni and husband, Eric Raney; granddaughters, Tyler and husband, Carlitos Torrez, Emily Rising, Abigail Rising, Alex Raney; and grandsons, Samuel Rising and Kevin Raney.

A visitation for Merle will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Saturday, March 29th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209.

A funeral service will be Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Resthaven Mortuary with a graveside service to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in the Garden of Gospels.