Merle J. Brown, 91, a resident of the Holiday Resort care center since 1995. died Nov. 21, 2001, at the care center. Mrs. Brown was a homemaker. She was a longtime resident of Ottawa and also a resident of McPherson for 15 years.

Merle J. Totten, the daughter of Myrt J. and Mamie F Clark Totten, was born Aug 13, 1910, at Ottawa. She graduated from Ottawa High School, and from Ottawa Business College.

She married Cecil Leslie Elliott, on July 29, at Ottawa. He died Aug 2, 1970. She married the Rev Olin B. Brown on Nov 29, 1975 at Ottawa. He died Jan 8, 1988. Mrs Brown was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Ottawa.

She is survived by four grandchildren, Rory Elliott, Ricky Elliott and April Barley all of Seattle Washington. and Marci Elliott of Las Vegas, Nev.; and two great-grandchildren. Survivors in this area include her niece, Jeanne Hatcher of Strong City, who was her caretaker for several years. Other survivors include one niece, Mary Lou Branstrator of Toledo, Iowa, two nephews Calvin Faulkner of Baltimore, Md and Charles Faulkner of Carmel, Ind.

A son, Marvin Elliott, and two sisters, Viola Johnson and Lenita Faulkner died earlier. The private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions to the Holiday Resort or the Free Methodist Church can be sent to the Dengel and Son Morturary, 234 S Hickory, Ottawa, Ks 66067

Chase County Leader-News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, Nov, 2001