Merlyn Lloyd Bartlett, 82, of Austin, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021.  He was born December 3, 1938 in Titonka, Iowa to the late Lloyd Harrison and Flossie Mae Danner Bartlett.  Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Merlyn managed his life and any obstacles, including his health, with strength and grace.  He was a Godly man and loved his God and Jesus.  He spent as much time with his loved ones as possible during his journey through this life.  Visiting his children and grandchildren whenever he could, while they were stationed anywhere around the world.

Merlyn was raised by his parents in the heartland, Titonka, Iowa and graduated from Titonka High School, where he learned his love for conservation, hunting, fishing, camping, sports and hard work!  He joined the Army a year later and served as a Combat Engineer and was assigned permanent duty in Germany.  Merlyn was home on leave and met the love of his life, Laurel Larson.  It was a whirlwind romance that lasted over 54 years.  He was a good and faithful servant for God.  He was also an excellent provider for his family and served his community.  He lived life to the fullest in all he did, but his relationship with God was always the top priority.  Merlyn cherished his wife and children and made a wonderful life for them in Kiester, Minnesota.  He was a member of the volunteer fire department, member of the Kiester-Walters School Board, a Boy Scout Cub Master, a 4-H Leader, member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church council and others.  He never missed one of his children's events:  music, sports, theater and so many others.

Merlyn was proudly humble of being a Combat Engineer, United States Army Veteran.  Throughout the remainder of this life he demonstrated his patriotism for our great country that he loved.  He was stationed in Colorado, Missouri, Texas and Germany.  His service was an excellent example for his children, as they all followed in their father's footsteps and are proud veterans too!  Merlyn was a member of the Titonka, Iowa legion, of which his father had been a 50-year member.  He was also a member of the Kiester, Minnesota American Legion and was involved in numerous activities in the local and state levels.

Merlyn was a knowledgeable and expert mechanic, who was revered throughout the local farming area.  When the opportunity arose for him to build his own business, he and Laurel grasped the opportunity and he demonstrated his entrepreneur skills that resulted in the success of L&M Enterprises.  Merlyn retired and he and Laurel then moved to Galena, Missouri.  This is where he received the calling to become involved in Narcotic's Anonymous.  His role as a sponsor and mentor touched and changed many lives, through God's grace and using his talents as called.  He and Laurel moved to Ward, Arkansas to be closer to family during their later years.   He lived his life as an example of God's love for each of us and shared this blessing with all he met, whether in spoken word or in his kind, loving actions.  Merlyn always shared that he loved and cared for all that he met during his life, whether he knew of you or just met you, as for him there were no strangers.  He was loved and cherished by his family and will be missed, but rest assured he is in God's glory and continues to share his grace, peace and love for all of God's creation.  In addition to his parents, Merlyn was preceded in death by his wife, Laurel Bartlett in 2014; granddaughter, Heather Nicole in 1985 and sister, Lucille Hanson.

He is survived by his children, Dawn (Dennis) Moore of Austin, Arkansas, Robin (Brian) Brown of Pittsburg, Missouri and Perry (Donna) Bartlett of Thomaston, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Justin (Whitney) Bartlett, Jamie (Oscar) Bautista, Joseph Brown, Jonathan Brown, Christine Bartlett-Moore, Adrienne (David) Spadavechia and Corey (Trevor) Black; eight great-grandchildren, Aunica, Zoe, Jackson and Henry, Olivia, Ava, Aiden and Luke; sisters, Marcella Glamm and Mary Ann Rasmussen and many extended family members and friends.  Merlyn will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 5900 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, AR 72116.  Minnesota services:  Inurnment will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 605 West State Street, Kiester, MN 56501.  Cards and memorials in memory of Merlyn may be sent to the following address in you are not able to attend either service: Dawn Moore, 75 Curry Lane, Austin, AR  72007.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.