Merton King, 85, of Staples, passed away on October 5, 2009 in Brainerd.  Funeral services for Merton will be held on Friday, October 9, 2009, 11:00 a.m., at the Staples Church of Christ with Pastor Barry Klein officiating.  Friends may call on Thursday, October 8, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Staples Church of Christ and on the day of the service one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be held at the Swanburg Cemetery, Pine River.

Merton King was born on October 3rd, 1924 to Robert and Linnie King. He grew up working hard on the family farm with ten siblings.  He married Vonda (Bonnie) King on September 1st, 1956 in Robbinsdale, MN. After several years in the Twin Cities, they headed north in 1969 and lived for a time on the family farm next to his parents. From there in 1971 they moved to North Long Lake in Brainerd, MN and enjoyed life on the lake. In 1979 they moved to Pillager, MN and resided there until 1991, when they moved to the Sylvan Shores area, south of Staples, where he enjoyed living in the country, gardening and hunting. After Vonda passed away in 1996, Merton moved into Staples and resided at the Hi rise for several years before he grew ill and moved into the Bethany Good Samaritan home. Merton loved to play Solitaire, Cribbage, 31, Kings Corners, Bingo and Dominoes with family and friends. Survivors include his siblings:  Dwight (Bonnie) King of Brainerd, Donald King of Sebeka, Elsie Pickar of Menahga, Joyce Smith of Backus, Lois Petersen of Crosby, 3 grandchildren:  Bill (BJ) Hawley of Ely and their children, Nathaniel, Boone, Nikki, Jacob; Vicki (Alan) Paskewitz of Browerville and their children, Rebekka and Rachel; Kris (Mike) Morley of Brainerd and their children, Alysa, (Kyle), Brittany and Cayla.

Merton is preceded in death by his parents, infant son, wife Bonnie (Vonda), siblings:  Alice Smith, Wanda Zumbrunnen, Robert King, Patricia Loerzel and Sadie LaFlex.