Merrick “Mike” Lyman, 90, passed away peacefully April 30, 2014. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 12th at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, Ks, where the family will receive friends following the service. Inurnment will be at Olathe Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Grace Hospice and/or Grace United Methodist Church of Olathe, KS.

Mike was born on Dec. 31, 1923 in Burrton, Ks to Raymond and Alice Lyman. After graduating from Haven High School, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp. and served in World War II in the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific in Saipan and Okinawa. He was part of the first battalion to land in Japan and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 2 stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Corporal. 

He attended Kansas State University and received his degree in Ag Economics in 1950. Upon graduation, Mike began working at the Dodge City, KS Co-op followed by the Ulysses, KS Co-op. He then took a promotion to be the Co-Op Manager at Tribune, Ks then Hutchinson, Ks then Kinsley, Ks. After managing Co-ops, he became the Vice President of Safety at Far-Mar-Co/Farmland Industries in Hutchinson, Ks. In 1979, he moved to Kansas City to work for the USDA. Mike retired from USDA in 1991.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Bill Lyman, Dick Lyman, Gene Lyman, and his sister Dorothy Vroman.

In 1947, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Hadley and they were married for over 66 years. Together, they raised four sons, Marc (Becky) Lyman of Hutchinson, Ks; Chuck (Kathy) Lyman of Manhattan, Ks; Kevin (Tammy) Lyman of Lee’s Summit, Mo; Kent (Susan) Lyman of Overland Park, Ks.

Mike is also survived by his brother, Paul Lyman of Clearwater, FL and his eight grandchildren, Amy Fowler, Mindy Davis, Torey Lyman, Tiffany Lyman, Zachary Lyman, Megan Lyman, Lindsey Lyman and Lauren Lyman and his three great-grandchildren Haley, Addison and Xavier Fowler.

Mike enjoyed his family and friends, the Kansas City Royals, Kansas State Wildcats and a good happy hour. He could often be heard saying, “Every man a Wildcat!”

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the wonderful care givers who provided loving support and comfort to Mike in his last months. He will never be forgotten and he will be missed by many.