Merlyn Horstman

Merlyn Leroy Horstman, 85, of Kennewick, WA passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 23, 2017 due to natural causes and complications of Alzheimer’s disease.  Born August 20, 1931 in Peever, SD, he was the son of the late Rudolph Peter Horstman and Thelma Elizabeth Harrison Horstman.  He was a 1949 graduate of Peever High School, Peever, SD.  A U.S. Navy Veteran, serving as a radio operator aboard the U.S.S. Cassin Young (DD973) during the Korean conflict, Merl met, traveled the world and maintained friendship and brotherhood of 67 years with Orvis (Winkie) Jorgesen, Waubay, SD and the late Henry Hunter, Pomeroy, OH.  He was especially proud of his former ship’s preservation as a floating museum, maintained by the National Park Service at Pier 1 of Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard.  Merl spent his career traveling across the United States as an employee of AMF Bowling.   He worked out of the Denver, CO; Bellevue, WA; and Syracuse, NY offices.  His career afforded him opportunity to travel numerous times to Alaska, Hawaii, Florida and all points in between.  Merl was especially proud of his work that contributed to the success of numerous professional AMF bowling competitions and television productions with one of his favorites being the David Letterman Show.  He was a 50-year member of Silver State Masonic Lodge #95 and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, BPOE, Lodge #90.  He was a member of the USS Cassin Young Association.  After retirement, Merl enjoyed countless RV trips to spend time with family and friends.  He lovingly restored and maintained his collection of vintage Ford Mustangs. Friends and family knew Merl as a man who always lent a helping hand.  He enjoyed building and construction, mechanical challenges and helping anyone in need.  Merl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sheila Jane Ward Horstman of Kennewick, WA; daughter Linda Horstman (Gordon Patterson) of Ketchikan, AK; Bonny Bronowski (Mike) of Kingwood, TX; Beth Wright (Paul Ratsch) of Kennewick, WA; brother Milton (Verna) Horstman of Denver, CO; sister Velva (Herb) Plant, Provo, SD; and Verla (Ron) Noakes of Pueblo, CO; several nieces, nephews and cousins, and many, many friends across the country.  Merl leaves behind five beloved grandchildren:  Chad (Karis) Bronowski of College Station, TX; Kyle (Melissa) Bronowski of Toledo, OH; Jacob Bronowski of Albuquerque, NM; Brooke Wright of Kennewick, WA and Brady Wright of Kennewick, WA; two great-granddaughters Paetyn and Avery Bronowski, Toledo, OH; and his faithful little black dog, Betty, Kennewick, WA.  In addition to his parents, his brother, Harold Horstman and numerous brothers-in law and sisters-in law preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 2, 2017 in the  Davis Memorial Chapel, 128 Broadway Avenue, Pueblo, CO.  Interment will follow in the Roselawn Cemetery, Pueblo, CO, with graveside military rites by the Pueblo Veterans Ritual Team.  The family wishes to thank Fieldstone Memory Care, Kennewick, WA for their excellent care and support in Merl’s final months.  In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorial contributions in Merl’s name to Fieldstone Memory Care, CAF (Cascadia Assistance Fund) at Kennewick, WA.  Online condolences at DavisMortuary.com