Merle W. Nilhas

Funeral services for Merle W. Nilhas, 85, Fort Dodge, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Christ in Dodge City. Graveside services with military honors will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.Mr. Nilhas died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the Kansas Soldiers Home, Halsey Hall, in Fort Dodge.He was born Feb. 3, 1923, in North Roscoe, the son of Frank and Hattie Hendrickson Nilhas. He attended school in Hodgeman County. He moved to Dodge City in 1988 and moved to Fort Dodge in May 1996.Mr. Nilhas served in the U.S. Army from Jan. 13, 1944, to Nov. 22, 1945, in the European theater in Naples, Italy, during World War II. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Unit Badge and World War II Victory Medal.Mr. Nilhas was a farmer and rancher in Hodgeman County and retired in 1988. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Dodge City and a life member of Howard Gotschall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1714 and Disabled American Veterans.He married Audrey Messer on Aug. 15, 1957, in Fort Dodge. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include a son, Jeffrey, Dodge City; three daughters, Norma Noland, Dodge City, Merlene Nilhas, Fort Dodge, and Barbara Rich, Lawrence; two brothers, Lloyd Nilhas, WaKeeney, and Ray Nilhas, Dodge City; a sister, Mae Rasmussen, Jetmore; four granddaughters; and two great-grandsons.Mr. Nilhas was preceded in death by a stepson, Bill Huffman, and a great-granddaughter.Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel in Dodge City.The family suggests memorials to the church or Halsey Hall at Fort Dodge, sent in care of the chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801. Online condolences may be sent at www.burkhart-ziegler.com.