Merlin is the son of Wes and Alma Staatz who live in the Lyona community, six miles
  northeast of Woodbine. In grades 1-6, Merlin attended the Lyona Grade School. The school
  closed in 1938, so the pupils went to Woodbine Grade School. Merlin was in the 1944
  Woodbine High School graduating class, and was drafted and entered the Army. After his
  discharge, he enrolled in Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, and graduated with a
  B.S. degree. He earned a M.S. degree from Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg.
       While attending college at Emporia, he became engaged to Clydene Lile. They were
  married and taught in Kansas schools for three years before moving to the Oregon coast
  where their three children were born.
       Later they moved to Seattle to teach in a Christian school. After teaching in 
  Christian schools for 14 years, making a total of 25 years of teaching, Merlin went into
  carpentry. Clydene is still teaching in a Christian school. All three of their children
  have graduated with B.S. degrees from Multnomah School of the Bible.
       Ann does journalism and graphics in Oregon. Wes works in a print shop in Seattle.
  Shelly has just retired from managing a gift shop to spend full time at home taking care
  of her husband and awaiting the arrival of their first child. Then Merlin and Clydene will
  enter the grandparent era!   
               
  Source: Woodbine, Kansas Centennial, 1887 - 1987, 
          Woodbine through the years pg. 122
          Submitted by Merlin Staatz