Merle L. Modesitt

Merle Laverne Modesitt, 89, of rural Thayer, passed away at his home on March 11, 2026.

Born on November 12, 1936, to Laverne and Marguerite (Bayless) Modesitt on the family farm that once stood where the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant is now, Merle moved with his family in 1941 to a farm on Big Hill Creek. He spent the rest of his life there, learning to raise dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry. He attended the one-room Sylvandale school and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1954.

In 1956, Merle enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for four years aboard the repair ship U.S.S. Everglades (AD-24) in the Mediterranean. He returned to the family farm in March 1960 and soon resumed farming, raising cattle, hogs, and Suffolk sheep while working as a welder. From 1976 to 1994, he served as director of security at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. During that time, he earned associate degrees in criminal justice and applied science in business and industrial supervision from Labette Community College.

Merle had a deep love for the outdoors and a strong faith in Jesus Christ. A longtime member of Dennis United Methodist Church, he served on its board and held leadership roles in many community organizations, including the Labette County Cooperative, USD 506 School District Board, Osage Fire District, Parsons Police Reserve, various 4-H clubs, and the Labette County Extension Board.

On June 11, 1960, he married Anna McNeal, who survives him at the family home. He is also survived by his son, Travis Modesitt and wife Kate of Oswego; his daughter, Peggy Hoisington and husband Matthew of Parsons; five grandchildren, Kerri Hall and husband Adam, Lee Modesitt and wife Bridget, Adrienne Wilson and 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.

Merle cherished his family above all and was always working on a project to improve their lives. He and Anna enjoyed traveling the United States together in their pickup camper, and he found simple pleasures in pumpkin pie and the color blue.