The graveside service for Merle E. Whenry, 94 year-old former Enid resident, will be 2:00pm Friday, January 4, 2019 in Memorial Park Cemetery. Reverend Gail Edmison will officiate. Services are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.

Merle was born March 20, 1924 in Addington, Oklahoma to Roy and Carrie (Sills) Whenry and died January 1, 2019 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He married Violet Darling in her parents' home by Reverend David Cavin. Merle was in the United States Air Force where he proudly served his Country during WWII. He and Violet were stationed in various cities both abroad and in the US. For over twenty years, he served as Air Force Chaplain Assistant. After his retirement from the Air Force, the couple moved to Stillwater, where Merle attended college. Upon graduation, the couple made their home in Enid. He continued to serve as Director of College Life for the Enid State School for twenty years and helped set up Chaplain services for Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

He was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church where he participated in the Adult Bible Study and Volunteer Tanger Bible Study. Merle also enjoyed playing the clarinet.

Merle is survived by son, Tim Whenry and wife, Corinne of Broken Arrow; 5 grandchildren, Michael Whenry and wife, Amy, of Enid; Tricia Lambert and husband, Stephen, of Hennessey; Terry Whenry and wife, Lauren, of Broken Arrow; Steven Whenry of Kansas City and Ryan Whenry of Tulsa; five great-grandchildren, Erica Lambert; Evan Lambert; William Whenry; Anthony "Tony" Whenry; Jackson Whenry; one sister-in-law, Dolores Brown of El Reno as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet; parents; two sons, Samuel and Michael Whenry and brother-in-law, Jim Brown.

Memorials can be given through Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home to the charity of one's choice.