Merlin Dee PorterLyons, KS

Merlin Dee Porter, 75, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away August 27, 2026, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born March 10, 1951, in Atwood, Kansas, the son of Russell and Bernita (Prideaux) Porter. Merlin has resided in Lyons since 1999, formerly of Atwood – a graduate of Rawlins County High School, class of 1969. Following graduation, Merlin followed in his father's footsteps and became a master plumber, working for Kruse Corp at the time of retirement. Merlin was a proud member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union #441, and member of the Lyons Town and Country Club. He loved golfing, hunting, competitive fishing, gardening, reading, carpentry, and watching western movies. Merlin enjoyed spending the summers at Lakeside Recreation, Nickerson, Kansas, and would brag about his children and grandchildren to anyone that would listen. But the thing he loved the most was sharing thirty-six years with the love of his life, Brenda (Diehl) Porter. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Porter of Lyons, KS; five children, Tiffany Wells (Colby) of Hutchinson, KS, Heather Bachelor (Bruce) of Whitewater, KS, Jason Dutcher of Wichita, KS, Jewel Davis (Joel) of Larned, KS and Mallory Martinez (Anthony) of Olathe, KS; two brothers, Gerald Porter (Phyllis) of Woodland Park, CO and Royce Porter (Anita) of Colby, KS; sister, Rhonda Laufer (Brian) of Atwood, KS; fifteen grandchildren: Breanna Williams, Brian Muns, Savanna Mendoza, Emma Curry, Riley Edgar, Logan Markus, Tyler Markus, Macie Bachelor, Lars Dutcher, Xander Dutcher, Tara Dutcher, Wyatt Davis, Wesley Davis, Cruz Martinez, and Cam Martinez; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Merlin is preceded in death by his father, Russell Porter; mother, Bernita Most; daughter, Tausha Bates; and brother, Troy Porter. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with Pastor Christine Deeds officiating. Burial will follow at the Alden Valley Cemetery, Alden, Kansas. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friends and family are also welcome to gather at Lakeside Recreation in Nickerson following the burial to celebrate Merlin’s life. Memorials may be given to Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.