Merlin J. Shennum, age 93, of Circle passed away December 30, 2013 at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive where he had been a resident since late September, 2013.
Merlin was born December 21, 1920, at Pablo, Montana. He was the youngest of four children of Ben and Mabel Shennum. Merlin graduated from Ronan High School and attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, Washington. While in Spokane, he worked for Boeing until World War II broke out. During World War II, Merlin was a paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Division. He was on the front lines and during that time was wounded in action while surrounded by Germans for seven days at Bastogne, Belgium. He received the Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, E.T.O. ribbon with arrowhead and five battle stars, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leave Cluster and Combat Infantryman’s badge. He was honorably discharged in September, 1945.
On December 8, 1945 he married Betty (Guldborg) Shennum in Brockway. After World War II, Merlin worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Helena, Montana for one year before moving to Brockway where he and Betty started farming in 1947. Three children, Alan, Judy and Jane were born to Merlin and Betty. Merlin and Betty were married for 53 years. Betty passed away May 4, 1998. Merlin farmed for 65 years. He didn’t want to sell his big John Deere tractor at the farm auction last spring because he didn’t think he was done farming yet! Farming was always in his heart.
His experiences in World War II molded Merlin into the man he became. He had many wartime stories that he shared. He was a patriot and was proud of his military service. His wartime experiences are chronicled in a book, “Fighting Fox Company: The Battling Flank of the Band of Brothers” by Terry Poyser and Bill Brown which is just being released for publication.
Merlin was a hard worker, responsible, respected, and a true patriot. He enjoyed socializing and always took time to visit with people. He will also be remembered for his sense of humor. One of his favorite events was to attend his annual 101st Airborne Division Reunions held at various locations around the United States.
Merlin was civic minded and served on many boards. He was a member of the ASCS Committee, Farmers Union Elevator Board, FHA Board, Congregational Church Board in Brockway, Circle Masonic Lodge member, and a member of the Al Bedoo Shrine of Billings.
He is survived by his son, Alan of the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive, Judy (Jack) Rosenbeck-Dodd of Circle, and Jane (Chuck) Spain of Kalispell; six grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Joyce Hall of Dallas, TX, two nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, a granddaughter, and a nephew.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2014 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Interment will follow in the Brockway Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials in Merlin’s name can be made to the Circle Museum. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Circle is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 2, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Circle, Montana 59215
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 3, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Circle, Montana 59215
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 2, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Circle, Montana 59215
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 3, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Circle, Montana 59215
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Ron Arthur says
Alan, Judy and Jane- So sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with your dad whenever I would run into him on the street.
Karen & Dennis Wolff says
We are sorry to hear that your dad has passed away. He was very special to us for a very long time. Please know that we are thinking of you and wish you comfort and peace.
Karol Willardson says
My sincere sympathy on the loss of you dad. Merlin was a unique person, always a smile and a generous offer to help. His recall of details from the past was astonishing. He will be remembered by many; we have lost a good friend and neighbor. Cherish your memories at this difficult time.
Erika (Willardson) Ferris says
My sincere condolences on the loss of your father and grandfather. Merlin was an honorable man who will always be remembered for his service, friendship, and laughter. May your memories see you through this time.
Ione and Nina Young & families says
Our hearts go out to you in the loss of your dad. We’re saddened by the loss of another elder member of our family. We have such great memories of your folks and times we spent “out north” at your place. It was such a comfort for us to see Merlin at Mom’s funeral. He was a great guy!
With caring thoughts and our deepest sympathy,
Your Ingram cousins, Ione and Nina and families
Jenny & John Frady says
we are sorry for you lose of your dad , may God Bless you and comfort,
Cheryl Bradshaw Weber says
Judy–I saw your Dad’s obituary in today’s Billings Gazette. I was sorry to hear of his passing. I went toArchie Henderson’s funeral earlier this year and we were all wondering where you are at–Joe Todd Bradshaw thought you were in St. George, Utah with your kids and they were going to e-mail me your address but they never did. Would love to hear from you and get your address–mine is Cheryl Weber, Box 471, Baker, MT – not far from you–my phone # is 406-778-3175. We would like to stay in touch with you because you were always real special to us. Don’t know if you knew it but we lost Mom a couple of years ago and then Archie this year–went to his funeral and saw quite a few cousins again that I hadn’t seen since Margaret’s funeral. So, if you have time, please let us know where you are at now. The obit. said you were in Circle but looked in the phone book and couldn’t find your name. Again, so sorry about your Dad.
John A. Colbert says
My wife and I wish to extend our condolences to the family of Merlin Shennum. Although I have never met him, I’ve heard him spoken of with affection and gratitude. I am the son of Lorna Tuck Colbert, sister of Lt. Andrew E. Tuck, III of the 506th of the 101st AB, WWII. He was kind to my mother and spoke well of my uncle that I never met. He is in gentle hands now. I’m grateful that he walked the Earth.
Dale Jensen says
Judy, Jane and Alan…so sorry to hear of the recent passing of your father. I worked for your mom and dad during a summer back in the late 70″s. It was such a great experience working with your dad each day. He would tell me stories of his family and time in the military and was a very proud patriot and father. CB’s were used to communicate during the work day and his handle was “screaming eagle”…we worked hard and had fun too. In following years I would see him and have a good visit, maybe take in a football or basketball game with him and even a game of pool.
Your mom had your dad on a diet all the time and she would make way too much food for me, so he often helped me eat my food with pleasure. Your mom usually had gone to bed by the time we got home from work each evening leaving us with very detailed notes with instructions for how to put our work cloths in the laundry and what food was for whom and how to set the right oven temperature.
I had my fun times with your mom too…driving her to Glendive and Miles City for shopping.
I have fond memories of your parents and of douse saw them from time to time growing up when my parents and yours would be visiting.
I am so sorry for your loss as we lost our mom (Norma) on Christmas Day…just a few days before your dad. Many wonderful memories and all people that made a difference in our lives and now having fun together in heaven. Take care, Dale
Loraine (& Jim) Koski says
To the loved ones of Merlin–Having just read the book “Fighting Fox Company,” I treasure all the more the calls and correspondence I exchanged with him in the ’00s. I will now always regret that I could not speak with him after having read this book, not only about his experiences but the heroes with which he served, particularly 1LT Andrew Tuck III. Merlin will always be missed in our Marquette, Michigan home.