In Memory Of
Merril Frank Bestwick
1921
2016
Merril Frank Bestwick
May 24, 1921 — November 25, 2016
Merril "Bud" Frank Bestwick, 95, of Manhattan passed away Friday, November 25, 2016 at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka.
Bud was born in Sabetha, KS on May 24, 1921 to Richard Frank Bestwick and Delma Hinton Bestwick. He was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Sabetha High School in 1939. He served in WWII in the South Pacific with the Army Air Corps. In May of 2013, he was privileged to visit Washington DC with the Kansas Honor Flight and considered the trip a highlight of his life.
On August 11, 1946 he married Bette Keim. Bud and Bette farmed near Sabetha until 1969 when they moved to Marysville. Bud worked for the U.S. Postal Service and later built houses in northeast Kansas and Nebraska. The family relocated to Manhattan in 1984 when Bud worked for Kansas State University facilities until his retirement.
An eternal optimist, Bud thoroughly enjoyed life and pursued many hobbies. He was a lifelong woodworker crafting wooden toys and other creations. He loved to read and garden and was known for his home baked pies and stews. Most importantly, Bud was happily married and was a loving, caring husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Bette, and four children: Connie Robinson of Sabetha, Kent Bestwick of Manhattan, Larry (Lila) Bestwick of Randolph, and Brent (Allie) Bestwick of Olathe, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and son-in-law, Burton Robinson.
Celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 2111 120th Rd., Sabetha, KS. Inurnment with military honors will be in the Sabetha Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Kansas Healthcare Center designated for volunteer services or to Sabetha VFW.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
Bud was born in Sabetha, KS on May 24, 1921 to Richard Frank Bestwick and Delma Hinton Bestwick. He was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Sabetha High School in 1939. He served in WWII in the South Pacific with the Army Air Corps. In May of 2013, he was privileged to visit Washington DC with the Kansas Honor Flight and considered the trip a highlight of his life.
On August 11, 1946 he married Bette Keim. Bud and Bette farmed near Sabetha until 1969 when they moved to Marysville. Bud worked for the U.S. Postal Service and later built houses in northeast Kansas and Nebraska. The family relocated to Manhattan in 1984 when Bud worked for Kansas State University facilities until his retirement.
An eternal optimist, Bud thoroughly enjoyed life and pursued many hobbies. He was a lifelong woodworker crafting wooden toys and other creations. He loved to read and garden and was known for his home baked pies and stews. Most importantly, Bud was happily married and was a loving, caring husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Bette, and four children: Connie Robinson of Sabetha, Kent Bestwick of Manhattan, Larry (Lila) Bestwick of Randolph, and Brent (Allie) Bestwick of Olathe, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and son-in-law, Burton Robinson.
Celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 2111 120th Rd., Sabetha, KS. Inurnment with military honors will be in the Sabetha Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Kansas Healthcare Center designated for volunteer services or to Sabetha VFW.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merril Frank Bestwick, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
Woodlawn Baptist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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