Merlyn Raikes

Merlyn Raikes, 94, entered Heaven’s gates while peacefully sleeping at his daughter’s home on Sunday, November 24, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. He was born to George and Nora (Bowlan) Raikes, on October 3, 1919, in Walton, IN. He married his “precious jewel” Ruby Burrous Raikes on May 8, 1941 at her parents’ farm, which later became Merlyn and Ruby’s home, where they lovingly raised their family.

Merlyn’s faith in God and his relationship with Christ was his top priority. Crossroads Community Church in Kokomo is where he worshipped since living with his daughter’s family following a fall in 2010. His life story is as follows: After graduation from Walton High School, he enjoyed using his cheerful personality in a variety of jobs. He worked the soda fountain at Walgreens until being hired at Timberlakes’ Gift Shop. His employment there was interrupted while he proudly served in the US Army Air Corp. He then worked for E.M. Taylor Co, as a wholesale representative for Armstrong Floor Coverings and Sunbeam Appliances. Following that, he took his sales skills to Great Northern Distributors, then to Michiana Floor Coverings before retiring. Merlyn always took pride in being a resident of Cass County and was honored to have served 20 years on the Cass County Council, 15 of those years as president. He belonged to The Gideons International and United Commercial Travelers. His hobbies were singing, gardening, working in his yard and spending time with Ruby. He enthusiastically supported the Lewis Cass Kings athletic and music departments. Speaking at FCA breakfasts was always a highlight. At any home games of football or basketball, he could be found in his (and Ruby’s) seats on the front row in the center of the bleachers, which they reserved since the year the school was built. He also enjoyed attending other sporting events, band and choir concerts. His family often teased him about being the “King” of Cass. He regretfully had to give up those activities when his health began to deteriorate. Merlyn was known for his jokes, teasing, laughing and genuinely loving people. He was especially famous for introducing himself as “Merlyn Raikes, who makes no mistakes,” his cricket chirp and his train whistle. He thrived on attending his children’s and then grandchildren’s activities. He became known as the field trip grandpa, often entertaining a bus full of children with his various sounds, and one time got in trouble for his train whistle as a bus of first graders was crossing train tracks. He was still bragging about that incident a few days before his death with a twinkle in his eye.

Merlyn is survived by the family who loved him and were proud to call him Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa: son, Jim (Debbie) Raikes of Mesquite, TX and daughter, Kathleen (Dean) Martin of Tipton, IN; 8 grandchildren, Lauren (Daniel) Ostendorff of Longview, TX, Valerie (Nathan) Cozart of Tulsa, OK, Kristen Raikes of Chiang Mai, Thailand (serving with OMF International), Stephen Raikes of Dallas, TX, Jonathan (Liesl) Raikes of Dallas, TX, Trevor Martin of Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, GA (currently deployed to Afghanistan), Taylor Martin and Torrey Martin, both of Tipton. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.

Merlyn was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby (May 16, 2006), as well as his four sisters: Marie Raikes, Elsie Bowyer, Ina Clements and Elizabeth Preiser, and four brothers: Harold Raikes, Paul Raikes, Maurice Raikes and Dwight Raikes.
A memorial service for Merlyn will take place at Lewis Cass High School Auditorium, 6422 E St Rd 218, Walton, IN, on Sunday, December 8, at 2 p.m., with visitation following the service until 5 p.m. Pastors Kevin Smith and Mike Stow will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations Merlyn was passionate about: OMF International, Gideons International, Child Evangelism Fellowship, or Lewis Cass High School Athletic or Music Departments.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gundrum Funeral Home and Crematory in Logansport.

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