03/13/2026
Merle L. Modesitt, 89, of rural Thayer, passed away at 6:20 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at his home.
The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Dennis United Methodist Church. Military honors will be presented by Brown-Bishop, VFW Post 704. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Merle Laverne Modesitt was born on November 12, 1936, to Laverne and Marguerite (Bayless) Modesitt on the family farm that was located where the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant is now. When the family farm was purchased for the building of the ammunition plant, he moved with his family in 1941 to a farm on Big Hill Creek. He lived the rest of his life on that farm, where he grew up learning to dairy, raise hogs, sheep, and all kinds of poultry. He started school in a one-room school known as Sylvandale and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1954.
As Merle tells it, “I left the farm 4, June 1956, and joined the U.S. Navy for four years. I went to the Great Lakes Navy Base and then to Norfolk Navel Base for more training. I was sent to a repair ship known as the U.S.S. Everglades AD24, where I was selected to work in the welding shop. We were sent to Mediterranean Sea in 1957. I came home to the farm the 28 of March 1960 and started life all over.”
Merle resettled on the family farm and raised cattle, hogs and Suffolk sheep. To supplement the farm income, he worked as a welder. From 1976 to 1994, Merle was the director of security at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. During those years, he also earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice and an associate’s degree in applied science in Business and Industrial Supervision from Labette Community College.
With a love for the outdoors and all of God’s creation, Merle had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. He was a member of Dennis United Methodist Church, where he served as a board member.
He held leadership positions in numerous organizations over the years, including Labette County Cooperative, USD 506 School District Board, Osage Fire District, Parsons Police Reserve, 4-H Sunflower and Dennis Doers Clubs, 4-H Sheep Leader, Mid-State Wool District 6, 4-H P-D-C and the Labette County Extension Board.
His favorite travel experience was when he and his wife toured the United States in their pickup camper. His favorite food was pumpkin pie and favorite color was blue. Merle always had a project going to make life better for his family, who he loved dearly.
On June 11, 1960, Merle and Anna McNeal were united in marriage. She survives of the home.
He is also survived by his son, Travis Modesitt, and his wife, Kate, of Oswego; his daughter, Peggy Hoisington and her husband, Matthew, of Parsons; five grandchildren, Kerri Hall and her husband, Adam; Lee Modesitt and his wife, Bridget; Adrienne Wilson and her husband, Nate; Kye Hoisington and Blake Modesitt; one brother, Phil Modesitt; and one sister, Katherine Stitt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Phyllis Modesitt; brother-in-law, Stanley Stitt; and sister-in-law, Donna Modesitt.
