Merlyn Gerald Maple

Funeral Service for Merlyn Maple age 66 of Orchard, NE were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at United Methodist Church in Orchard with Pastor A.G. Turner, Officiating. Music was provided by Connie Mitteis. Burial was in Orchard Hill Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Orchard American Legion Post #136 and Legion Riders. Pallbearers were Dustin Longe, Mikel Longe, William BJ Longe, Crystal Longe, and Erik Hoegemeyer. Visitation was 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 9, 2017 at United Methodist Church in Orchard. Merlyn passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.snidermemorialfh.com Merlyn Gerald Maple was born on January 17, 1951 in Omaha, NE. Merlyn was adopted by Gerald (Jerry) and Norma Maple of Orchard, Nebraska. Merlyn was a 1969 graduate of Orchard High, and upon graduation served in the United States Army, primarily stationed in Germany. On June 16, 1973 he married Joan Cronk in Ewing, Nebraska. Merlyn and Joan moved back to Orchard, and he began his career as a Warehouse Manager for the Cheese Factory and then a representative for Harvest Insurance and then GE Financial Services. Merlyn was involved with the Orchard Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion. He had a passion for fishing, hunting, baseball, westerns and playing golf with his sons. He is preceded in death by his father Jerry and his mother Norma. Merlyn is survived by his wife Joan, his daughter Kari and son-in-law Erik Hoegemeyer of Fremont; his son Nick and daughter-in-law Makala Maple of Humphrey; his son Cody and Fiancée' Chelsea Ranger of Lincoln, NE and son Eric of Orchard. He is also survived by his sister Bev and brother-in-law Gene Longe of Lake Andes, South Dakota and five grandchildren; Riley Maple (17), Elisabeth Hoegemeyer (11), Andrew Hoegemeyer (10), Phillip Hoegemeyer (8) and Joseph Hoegemeyer (5).