Merla Maxine Hulbert

Merla Maxine Hulbert of Esbon, Kansas, was born August 13, 1932, in Esbon, Kansas, to Earl and Vera (Kindler) Silsby, and passed away Saturday, October 15, 2011, at the Salina Regional Health Center, in Salina, Kansas, at the age of 79 years, 2 months and 2 days.

Merla was a graduate of Esbon High School, with the class of 1950. She worked for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator, before she married Lorus Winfield Hulbert on April 8, 1956, at the United Methodist Church in Esbon. To this union, three sons were born – Rex, Alan, and James. Merla became a farm wife – experienced in cooking, cleaning, repairs, bookkeeping, and being a vet tech for pets and farm animals.

Lorus and Merla were very active in the Wagon Wheelers Square Dance Club, until his illness. Merla devoted her talents to Harmony United Methodist Church, Harmony United Methodist Women, Garden Club, and V.F.W. Auxiliary Post No. 7830, all of Mankato. She spent countless hours looking out for the needs of others, making many trips to take others to doctors and to the thrift shop to work and for fellowship. Merla was a grandmother, who was devoted to her grandchildren and kids. She would call and want to know everything that they were doing. In the last few years, Merla and some close friends took some cruise trips of a lifetime, to the Bahamas and to Alaska.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lorus on October 31, 1994, and her parents.

Merla is survived by her three sons – Rex Hulbert of Grapevine, Texas, Alan and wife, Debbie Hulbert of Valley Center, Kansas, and James and wife, Melissa Hulbert of Manhattan, Kansas; sister – Earlene and husband, Orren Bronson of Kensington, Kansas; brother – Melvin and wife, Eula Silsby of Esbon; three granddaughters – Ashley Hulbert, Cheyenne Hulbert, and Shaunee Hulbert; three grandsons – Brandon Hulbert, Chayne Hulbert, and Sheldon Hulbert; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service for Merla Maxine Hulbert will be (was) held, Thursday, October 20, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Music will be (was) performed by Pat Grout organist, and Curtis Silsby, soloist. The hymns will be (were): “How Great Thou Art” and “On the Wings of a Dove.” Casket bearers will be (were): Rex Hulbert, Alan Hulbert, James Hulbert, Brandon Hulbert, Chayne Hulbert, and Sheldon Hulbert. Honorary casket bearers will be (were): Ashley Hulbert, Cheyenne Hulbert, and Shaunee Hulbert. Interment followed in the Esbon Cemetery, Esbon, Kansas, beside her husband. The family suggests memorials to: Harmony United Methodist Church, or V.F.W. Post No. 7830, Cancer fund. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of service arrangements.