Merle Bierbrodt

Robert Merle Bierbrodt took the hand of Jesus to enter Heaven’s gates on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Labette Medical Center in Parsons, Kansas at the age of 78.

Merle was born on March 15, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Hubert and Mary (Babcock) Bierbrodt.  Merle attended school in Coffeyville, graduating from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1962.  He then took classes at Coffeyville Community Junior College before he enlisted in the US Navy on March 20, 1964. He received his honorable discharge on March 19, 1970.

A Navy buddy, who happened to be his future wife’s cousin, introduced him to a beautiful young woman named Patricia and it was love after the first letter. They didn’t meet in person until after writing for several months.  Following a two-year pen pal courtship, he married Patricia “Pat” Sherley on September 9, 1967, at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 1968 the couple moved to Coffeyville, where they made their forever home raising their three daughters, Debbie, Donna and Judy.

Merle was a machinist by trade, having worked at Funk Manufacturing and then for John Deere where he also retired. He enjoyed taking spontaneous road trips with his family and having a popup picnic at a scenic spot. Merle enjoyed cooking for his family, trying a number of different cuisines.  His daughters particularly all enjoyed his Sweet and Sour Chicken.  He followed in his family’s footsteps by competing in a local bowling league with his brother Jerry.  Merle could be found at the local casino earning prizes to surprise his family with.  Merle was a very responsible casino visitor; he was quite strict with his budget.  Dave Ramsey has nothing on the Merle Bierbrodt budgeting.  He had developed the envelope method of budgeting long before anyone had heard of Dave Ramsey. Above all other hobbies his favorite was spending quality time with his family and doting on his wife, Pat.

Merle will be forever missed by his daughters, Debbie and her husband Bill Beckmeyer, their children Mary and Eillen, Donna and her husband Gib English, their children Jessika and fiancé Taylor Prince, Dezirae Hamrick, Jake English and wife Jessica, Zach English and his wife Rebecca, Judy and her husband Chris Smith and their children Ryan and Blaine; seven great grandchildren; brother, Carl Gerald Bierbrodt and his wife Helen; sister-in-law, Deborah and her husband Les Marshall; brother-in-law, Joseph Sherley; several nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat and his parents.  He was loved deeply and will be deeply missed.

Rosary will be held on at 9:30am on Friday, April 8, 2022, and Funeral Mass will be begin at 10am with Father Schibi officiating at Holy Name Catholic Church, 408 Willow St., Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 6 to 8pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, KS 67337.  Memorial contributions to be made payable to Holy Name Catholic Church and may be left in care of the chapel. Merle will be laid to rest next to his wife Pat, in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Parsons, Kansas.  US Navy will provide graveside military honors.  To leave an online condolence or to share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com