Merrill J. Surls

Merrill J. Surls, 84, of Kansas City, MO passed away, Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at his home.

He was born on December 17, 1931 to Fred and Olga (Gherke) Surls in Iowa Falls, Iowa.  Merrill grew up in Waterloo, Iowa where he graduated high school.

On August 14, 1954 he was united in marriage to Martha Jean Boydston.  After their marriage they lived in Independence, IA where he was a Pastor.  They moved to Tulsa, OK where he was a television production manager for the Oral Roberts Crusades.  In 1962 they then moved to Kansas City, and he developed a chain of nursing homes in Missouri, including the Golden Living Center in Smithville.  The family later moved to Colorado Springs, CO and Merrill owned and managed several income properties.  Merrill also developed children’s programming using innovative state of the art video production trucks that he designed. In the early 90’s they returned to Kansas City where he retired.

Merrill was a member of Northland Cathedral. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Eva Anderson and Freda Parker.

Merrill is survived by his wife, Martha Jean, of the home; sons, Mark Surls and Mike Surls and wife Marie; grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Carta, Jeremy (Kayli) Surls, Joseph (Jackie) Surls, Jonathan (Katie) Surls, and Jeanelle (Mike) Staffel; great-grandchildren, Cecily, Isabelle, Falon, Zoey, and Jackson; sisters, Lavonne Archer and Roberta Huff; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.   

Funeral Service:  11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 13th at Northland Cathedral in Kansas City, MO with visitation one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northland Cathedral.

Arrangements, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithvillle.