Merle Ray Walden, the son of Claude and Mildred (Allen) Walden was born August 21, 1928, in Arkoe, Missouri. He attended the Maryville and Mound City schools, and then was employed for Quaker Oats in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Merle entered the United States Air Force on December 1, 1945, and served his country for twenty years in the United States and overseas, retiring from Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, Kansas, on December 31, 1965. He was united in marriage to Oka Marie Powell on December 18, 1948, in St. Joseph. Merle was also employed by Ross-Frazier Supply in St. Joseph for 25 years and they resided in Savannah, Missouri for 30 years. In 2001, Merle and Oka moved to Tarkio, Missouri, where they lived until the present time. Merle passed away Monday, August 9, 2010, at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care at the age of 81 years.

Merle was a member of the Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199 of Tarkio. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, William Walden, and one sister, Joyce Collins. Merle is survived by his wife, Oka, and sister-in-law, June Mather, both of Tarkio, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services and Interment:
10:00 a.m., Friday, August 13, 2010, Home Cemetery, Tarkio
Visitation: There is no scheduled family visitation.
Memorials: Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care Center
Online condolences and obituary at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.