Merlin Edwin Atwater, the son of Edwin and Bertha Baker Atwater was born with his twin brother Melvin on September 29, 1914 at Albion. He received his elementary education at rural Boone County School District #2. He attended Albion High School where he was State Vice President of the FFA, and received the State Farmer Award. Merlin graduated with the class of 1931.

On December 18, 1935 he was united in marriage to DeEttie Jacobson in a double ring ceremony with Melvin and Mildred Whiting at the First Baptist Church in Albion.

They lived and farmed four miles west of Albion. Merlin also sold Farmers Union Insurance, clerked at the local Sale Barn for many years, and raised Aberdeen Angus Cattle. He has been a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Albion where he has served as Deacon and Trustee, and has served as a board member of the Albion Cemetery Association for many years. One of Merlin’s favorite pastimes has been watching Chicago Cub baseball.

Merlin Atwater died Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at the Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Home in Albion at the age of 90.

He is survived by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife DeEttie, his twin brother Melvin and wife Mildred and one sister Mildred Clipston.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2004 at the First Baptist Church of Albion with Rev. Blaine Prichett officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Albion.

Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Levander Funeral Home in Albion