Merle Ray Oehlert, 89, passed away February 28, 2021 at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Sat., Mar. 6, 2021 at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium in Lusk, Wyoming.

Merle was born September 8, 1931 in Walton, Kansas to Carl Amuel and Mattie Rachel (Howe) Oehlert.

On December 15, 1951, Merle married Betty Jean Newlin in Bluford, Illinois, and two sons, Carl and Terry, were born to this union.

Merle was drafted into the Army in 1952, serving in Korea and Japan. After his discharge in 1954, he served in the Illinois National Guard for eight years.

In 1955, Merle went to work for Marathon Oil Company in Bridgeport Illinois. He transferred to Lance Creek, Wyoming in October of 1968 and retired in 1986.

Merle and Betty settled in Lusk, and he was employed by the Town of Lusk from 2004 to 2019.

Merle cherished time with family and friends, and he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Lusk BPO Elks 1797, Harmony Masonic Lodge #24, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Merle is survived by his grandson, Shawn (Rachel) Oehlert and great-grandchildren Willow and Porter of Gillette, Wyoming; brother Gary Oehlert of Bella Vista, Arkansas; sisters-in-law Mary Oehlert of McLeansboro, Illinois, and Pat Adams of Saint Francisville, Illinois; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, sons Carl and Terry, sister Lela Mae Lutt and brother Lyle Oehlert.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium. Interment will follow at the Lusk Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Niobrara Senior Center, Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, or a charity of the donor's choice.

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