Merryl J. Underwood

Merryl J. Underwood, 85, passed away at the John Knox Care Center in Lee�s Summit, MO, on January 4, 2007, of complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig�s disease). Merryl was born in Perry, KS on August 22, 1921, the son of Benjamin and Stella Underwood. He graduated from Perry High School and joined the Navy, serving in Lakehurst, NJ, and Jacksonville, FL. He received electrical circuitry training in the service, which became his lifelong career. He retired from Montgomery Ward where he was employed as an electrician for 35 years. He and his wife Catherine L. (Culbertson) Underwood had been married 36 years and were active members of Raytown Baptist Church and most recently, Oakwood Baptist Church. Merryl and Cathy have been residents of the Kansas City area most of their lives, except for a 14-year retirement period in Florida, when they lived in Port St. Lucie, FL. They moved back to the area 9 years ago. Merryl was preceded in death by his parents and very recently by his son-in-law, Lawrence L. Culbertson of Overland Park, KS. He is survived by: his wife, Catherine L. Underwood of John Knox Village in Lee�s Summit; a sister, Lois Grantham of Waldport, OR; daughters-in-law, Nancy Culbertson of Overland Park, KS, and Barbara Guest of Valdez, AK; four granddaughters, one grandson, and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Speaks Suburban Chapel at 39th and 291 Hwy, Monday January 8, 2007 at 2:00 pm, and a short visitation period will precede the service at 1:00pm. Inurnment will be at Floral Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the ALS Association in memory of Merryl.