In Memory Of
Merlin Bigham
1939
2021
Merlin Bigham
April 19, 1939 — May 22, 2021
Merlin "Mert" Bigham, 82, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021.
He was born April 19, 1939, in Marysville, Kansas, the son of Orville and Florabelle (Stoner) Bigham. He was one of seven children.
Mert graduated from Marysville High School in 1958 and went on to attend Independence Jr. College for two years.
He was an avid sportsman and K-State fan. He played football, basketball and ran track and pole vaulted. He held the record in pole vaulting at Jr. College for a couple years. Mert enjoyed golfing with the Goodyear league and down in Texas until 2020, when his heart and lungs said no more.
Mert met Jeanette in 1960 and they were married in 1963. Together they moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1965. There Mert worked at Goodyear for 33 years, retiring in 1998. They also cherished spending over 25 years traveling to "The Valley" of Texas in Harlingen, Texas.
Together they had two sons, Kent and Kevin.
Mert is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; sons, Kent Bigham and Kevin (Carol) Bigham; sister, Pat Bierbaum; grandchildren, Kyle (Jescee) Bigham, Alicia (Jonathan) Neely, Jamie Bigham, and Noah Bigham; three great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
A Celebration of his Life will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church, 3509 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made directly to the family to be given to charities of their choice.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born April 19, 1939, in Marysville, Kansas, the son of Orville and Florabelle (Stoner) Bigham. He was one of seven children.
Mert graduated from Marysville High School in 1958 and went on to attend Independence Jr. College for two years.
He was an avid sportsman and K-State fan. He played football, basketball and ran track and pole vaulted. He held the record in pole vaulting at Jr. College for a couple years. Mert enjoyed golfing with the Goodyear league and down in Texas until 2020, when his heart and lungs said no more.
Mert met Jeanette in 1960 and they were married in 1963. Together they moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1965. There Mert worked at Goodyear for 33 years, retiring in 1998. They also cherished spending over 25 years traveling to "The Valley" of Texas in Harlingen, Texas.
Together they had two sons, Kent and Kevin.
Mert is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; sons, Kent Bigham and Kevin (Carol) Bigham; sister, Pat Bierbaum; grandchildren, Kyle (Jescee) Bigham, Alicia (Jonathan) Neely, Jamie Bigham, and Noah Bigham; three great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
A Celebration of his Life will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church, 3509 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made directly to the family to be given to charities of their choice.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merlin Bigham, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 5
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