He served in the United States Air Force from February of 1950 to February of 1954. He received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was honorably discharged from Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming as a Staff Sergeant. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
He attended the U.S. Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Then in December of 1964 he became a firefighter with the Fremont Fire Dept. In September of 1968, he was promoted to senior firefighter. In August of 1969, he was promoted to Lieutenant and in September to Captain. In May of 1977 he became the Assistant Fire Chief and on June 1, 1979, Merlin became Fremont's Fire Chief. He retired in March of 1991.
Merlin was a member of the Fremont Alliance Church where he taught Sunday School and had served as the Sunday School Superintendent. He had served his church as a deacon and elder. He was also a member of American Legion Post 20.
On October 27, 1951, Merlin was married to Carole Jean Alcon .
Survivors: wife Carole Jean
son Jimmy D. Olson of Fremont
daughter Sharon and husband Ronald Frye of Yutan
3 granddaughters Jennifer Frye of Lincoln
Elizabeth and husband Tim Cavanaugh of Omaha
Margaret and husband Jon Wilson of Lincoln
5 great grandchildren
sister Charlotte Killion of Omaha
brother Don and wife Ruth Olson of Utica
The funeral service will be 10:30 AM Thursday (January 23, 2014) at the Fremont Alliance Church with the Rev. Tom Nevius. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors by the Fremont Honor Guard of American Legion Post 20 and VFW Post 854 followed by Fremont Fire Dept. Honors.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Wednesday from 2 to 8 PM with the family present from 6:30 to 7:30PM. Memorials are suggested to the Fremont Alliance Church's Great Commission Fund.
online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(4)
Connie Alcon Branscum
Maumelle, AR Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Auntie Carole Jean, Sharon and Jimmy, all my love and prayers are with you. I wish I could be there to hold your hands and to cry with you. Hope to see you all soon.Pat & Larry Austin
Fremont, NE Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Merlin was a good Godly man and will be missed. Our Prayers are with the familyAlice Carlson Segers
Alvin, TX Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Carol and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.Burdette Mclain
Hazelwoood, MO Monday, January 20, 2014 YOU ALL HAVE OUR SYMPATHY FOR YOU LOSE.WE REMEMBER HIM WELL.