Merlin Dorrell

Merlin’s life began on December 30, 1948 in Normal, IL; the son of Adlai and Edna (Kagel) Dorrell. He was a 1967 graduate from Bloomington, IL. Merlin worked for numerous dealerships between Illinois and Kansas. He retired from John K. Fisher, Inc. 6 years ago and went to work for Superior Auto Care in El Dorado. Merlin was an accomplished automotive technician for over 57 years. Merlin was united in marriage to Connie Sherman on May 12, 2000 in El Dorado, KS. Merlin enjoyed working on cars in his spare time and going to car shows. He was a proud member of the Bluestem Vintage Car Club. Merlin loved to watch NASCAR racing and was a huge fan of Dale Earnhardt #3. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in El Dorado. His greatest joy was his family which includes his wife, Connie of El Dorado; children Karen (Max) Kilmer of California, Todd (Laura) Dorrell of Newton, KS, Michael (Ashlie) Dorrell of El Dorado, Kali (Jonathan Harris) Dorrell of Wichita, KS; step-children, Steven (Penni Helme) Davis of El Dorado, Penny (Tyson) Nielsen of El Dorado, KS and Jennifer (Jeremy) Shipman of Colorado Springs, CO; 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; sister Alice Meads of Normal, IL and many nieces and nephews. Merlin passed peacefully with his loving family at his side on June 12, 2022 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He is preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Friends may gather with the family from 5-7pm on Wednesday, June 15 at Carlson Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 10:30am at Grace Lutheran Church in El Dorado. Merlin will be laid to rest at Walnut Valley Memorial Park in El Dorado. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the Salvation Army or Susan B. Allen Cancer Center. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Merlin at www.carlsonkirbymorris.com