Merlin was a missionary to the Philippines, pastor, and author of a book on bible prophecy, pilot, sharpshooter, and gunner in the Army Air Corps at the end of WWII.  He graduated from Bob Jones University, spoke Russian, graduated from Bethany School of Missions in Bloomington, Minnesota and later taught ancient Greek and church history at Bethany.  He also orchestrated music and played the accordion very well.

He is survived by his wife Jean (Vasilakes), daughter, Elva Nelson, son, Lorenzo (“Lee”) Borela, two granddaughters, Angela (Lofthus) Chapman, Sara (Lofthus) Sutter, and grandson, Derek Teig Borela, and great-grandchildren; preceded in death by his daughter, Jeanette (Lofthus) McCullough and his granddaughter, Lisa (Lofthus) Holter.