Merle Ray Webster

Merle Ray Webster, 85, resident of Orange Park, Fla., died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at the Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs, Fla. He was born June 2, 1926, in Metz, Mo., the son of Burley Webster and Vonda Ann Murphy Webster. He married Lenora Wright. She preceded him in death. Mr. Webster spent his career with the United States Navy. He was stationed throughout the United States in Florida, Maine, New Jersey, Tennessee and Hawaii as well as several foreign countries including Greece, Sicily, and Ecuador. He enjoyed photography and reading non-fiction as well as working on his computer. He had recently made contact with all of his classmates from Metz High School and produced a newsletter to keep in contact with everyone.

Survivors include his daughter, Pat Markham, Orange Park, Fla.; and a brother, Robert "Bob" Webster and wife, Jackie, Fort Scott, Kan. Also surviving is a granddaughter, Savannah Markham, of Florida, and three other family members, Curtis, Tasha and Eric; and five great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Ken Van will conduct a graveside service at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 25, at the U.S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com