Merlene Rona Cornwell

Merlene Rona Cornwell Merlene Rona 'Merle' Cornwell, 66, of Salina passed away Friday, June 17th, 2011 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. She was born in Hope, Kansas on April 1, 1945, the daughter of the late William and Meldia (Catlin) Birka. She was the wife of Larry Cornwell, who survives. Merle was a high school graduate and she worked as an occupational trainer at OCCK in Salina. She was also a member of Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in rural Dickinson County near Abilene. Merle is survived by her husband, Larry of the home; brother-in-law, Paul (Carol) Cornwell, of Salina; sister-in-law, Kay (Fred) Carlson, of Hillsboro, Kansas; 3 nieces; 4 nephews, and her cat, 'Sam'. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Marlene Birka. A funeral service will be held at the at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Abilene, Kansas, at 10:30a.m. on Wednesday, June 22nd, with Rev. Charles Norman and Rev. Stan Norman officiating. Visitaion will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 7 to 8. Interment will follow the funeral at Mt. Hope Cemetery near Enterprise. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 1344 Daisy Rd., Abilene, Kansas 67410.