Merlene Viola Hornish, age 81, a resident of rural Mapleton, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott, Kansas. She was born July 17, 1936, in Cash, Oklahoma, the daughter of John Rimmer and Elva Penrod Rimmer.

She married Mike Hornish on October 5, 1991, at Hillsboro, Oregon. Merlene had worked as a bus driver in Oregon and later in Linn County, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Mike, of the home; five children, Linda Sprague, of Bronson, Kansas; Terry Pitner, of Amboy, Washington; Sharon Brahin, of Columbus, Kansas; Vicki Langford, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Derek Cunningham, of Sarasota, Florida. Also, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Surviving is a brother, Marion Rimmer, of Arizona. She was preceded in death by a son, Nick Stevens, a grandson, Billy Minor and two brothers, Melvin and Marvin Rimmer.

There was cremation and no services are planned. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.