Obituary

Merle Lee Newell 66 of Wellsville, Kansas passed away Friday Sept 15, 1995 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe Kansas

Mr. Newell lived in Kansas City & Olathe Kansas before moving to Wellsville 10 years ago.

Mr. Merle Newell was born Sept 18, 1928 in Braymer, MO (he three minutes older than his twin brother)

Mr. Newell enlisted in the United States Army 13 Nov, 1950 and was in the Korean War.
On 29 Oct, 1952 was transferred to the Army Reserve, and then was Honorably Discharged 27 Sept, 1956.

According to his twin brother, Mr. Newell was in the HQ HQ 2 Infantry 6th Armor Division
It was reported ton 07 June 2007 by Mr. Newell's twin brother that the 2nd Infantry had been changed to the 6th Armor Division.

According to the Military Mr. Newell was in the a Signal Group

Furthermore it was reported on 07 June 2007 that Mr. Newell received the following Medals:
1. Combat Infantry Badge
2. Korea Service Medal (This Medal was given to all)
3. Service Lapel Pin
4. Good Conduct Medal
5. Bronze Star

***** NOTE *****
Although Mr. Newell's twin brother is the only survivor to this date 07 June 2007 to confirm this.
Mr. Newell's records were complete destroyed in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center on 12 July 1973, so there is no way to confirm any of the medals through the Military

*****NOTE*****
Unable to get Military records form National Military Archives because of fire in 1973, Records were destroyed.

*****NOTE*****
( The funeral home records & newspaper obituary states that Mr. Newell was a Veteran of World War II both of these records are incorrect Mr. Newell is a Veteran of the Korean War the date on his Discharge will confirm this. )

Mr. Newell worked for General Motors before enlisting in the Army. Upon returning home from Korea. Mr. Newell went back to work at General Motors and helped turn it from a B25 Mitchell Bomber plant back to a Car plant in 1956
While Mr. Newell worked at General Motors he worked at different potions: paint / undercoating / finial roll off.
Hire date at G.M.A.C. July 07, 1949.
Retired July 01, 1980 Worked for a total of 31.3 years then retired.
Mr. Newell was a member of U.A.W. C.I.O. 31 Kansas City, KS.

Mr. Newell was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church of Kansas City, KS, And the Happy Pairs Square Dance Club.

Mr. Newell is proceed in death by daughter Virginia Lee Newell; son Keith Eugene Newell; & first wife Mertyle Lee Newell & both parents.

Mr. Newell is survived by wife of home Ida Jane (Brown) one son & spouse of Kansas City, MO; step-daughter & spouse of De Soto, KS; twin brother Marvin C. & spouse of Kansas City, KS; one sister of Brookfield, MO; one sister of Olathe, KS; one sister of Torrance, CA; seven grandchildren & two great-grandchildren.