Merle Stanton Burling

Merle Stanton Burling, age 95, of La Grande, died April 14, 2014 at his home. The funeral time and place will be announced later by Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.


Merle was born on September 28, 1918, the son of Albert Richard and Anna Lena (Woods) Burling in Colfax, Wisconsin. When he was 17 the family moved to Reedsport, Oregon where he graduated from high school. He became a minister at age 20 and on February 17, 1940 he married Blanche Buelah Reavis in Gardner, Oregon. He worked in a mill in Coos Bay and in 1944 they moved to Boise. In 1947 they moved to La Grande. He worked as a painter, sold insurance and in 1954 he opened Ranch-n-Home Real Estate. He was an active member of Jehovah's Witnesses. He enjoyed documenting his family history and the development of bible education by Jehovah's Witnesses in Union & Wallowa Counties . His main joy was people and helped many people throughout the years.


Survivors include his wife, Blanche Burling of La Grande, children and their spouses, Phillip and Katherine Burling of La Grande, Susan and Jerry Morrison of Richland, Washington and Shirley and Mitch Peppley of Prosser, Washington; brothers, Richard Burling of Portland and David Burling of Tenino, Washington; Sister, Abby Bates of Vancouver, Washington; nine grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

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