Merle W. Galyon

GALYON, MERLE WILLIAM AGE 87 passed away May 30, 2011 in Okla.City. He was born Nov. 13, 1923 to Walter Thomas and Esther Galyon in Wichita, KS. He graduated from East High in 1941. He served in the Air Force as S/Sgt Airplane Maintenance Technician 1943-46. He was stationed in Iwo Jima, then to the Philippines before coming home. He was a funeral director and embalmer for 34 years, then became a U.S. postal mail carrier retiring in 1989. While living in Valley Center 61 years, he was a member of the Valley Center Masonic Lodge #364 for 60 years and Past Patron of Eastern Star Chapter #237 and member 60 years. He served on the Valley Center Planning Commission, as councilman and mayor of Valley Center and past president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the 20th Air Force board of directors, and attended reunions of the 506 Fighter Group. In earlier years he was active in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and into Canada and New Mexico. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Walter killed in the Marshall Islands in WWII, and sister Clara Jean Chandler of CA. Survivors, wife Helen of 63 years, daughter Sheri Marie (Bart) Whitchurch of Robinsonville, MS, son Dennis(Alicia) of Edmond, OK., four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Memorials to the Shiner's Children Hospital. Services will be Thursday, 2 p.m., June 2, 2011 at Wichita Park Cemetery Chapel in Wichita, Kansas.