Merle L. Fullner

I first met Merle about 62 years ago, as I remember. I was a shy second grade boy, and he was a late teenage man - very grown up, in my estimation. The very first recollection I have of him was when we were all hanging around on the steps of the Hopewell Community Church after the morning service. He and Marv were there; Marv was always joking about something, and Merle would chuckle. They both treated us younger kids in a friendly manner, (much like Eric Fullner does now.)
Marv and Merle would give us a ride to Youth for Christ meetings in Bellingham. They'd take turns driving; Marv in his 62 Chev, Merle in his 57 Chev. Merle was the more conservative driver. We didn't ask him to burn off his tires like Marv would.
Merle was always quiet, but friendly. I always enjoyed being around him. He was a dedicated worker, whether it be at the Lynden Tribune, at keeping up the buildings and the grounds of Hopewell church, farming in his spare time, or making improvements to his own home. His dedication to his family was very obvious. His dedication to his Savior also stood out. He taught the adult Sunday School class at Hopewell for a long stretch, was church treasurer, I believe, served on the Board there, faithfully joined in with the OMF prayer meetings locally, and I'm certain helped out in many other less obvious ways.
He also had a way of making snide remarks that always brought out a chuckle from whoever was listening.
I will miss seeing and talking with Merle for a while, but we'll catch up in Heaven, where we can together praise our God. And he will no longer have a crick in his neck :).
Ed Tyas