Merton King, 85, of Staples, died Oct. 5, 2009 in Brainerd.

Funeral services were held Oct. 9, 2009, at the Staples Church of Christ with Pastor Barry Klein offi ciating. Burial was in the Swanburg Cemetery, Pine River.

Arrangements were with the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville.

Merton was born Oct. 3, 1924 to Robert and Linnie King. He grew up working on the family farm. He married Vonda (Bonnie) King on Sept. 1, 1956 in Robbinsdale. After several years in the Twin Cities, they moved back to the family farm in 1969. In 1971, they moved to North Long Lake in Brainerd, in 1979, to Pillager, residing there until 1991, when they moved to the Sylvan Shores area, south of Staples. He enjoyed living in the country, gardening, hunting, Solitaire, Cribbage, 31, Kings Corners, Bingo and Dominoes.

Merton moved into Staples in 1996, residing at the HiRise for several years before moving to the Bethany Good Samaritan Home in Brainerd.

Merton is survived by two brothers, Dwight (Bonnie) King of Brainerd; Donald King of Sebeka; three sisters, Elsie Pickar of Menahga; Joyce Smith of Backus; Lois Petersen of Crosby; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, infant son, four sisters, Alice Smith; Wanda Zumbrunnen; Patricia Loerzel; Sadie LaFlex; and one brother, Robert King, .

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