Marion Edward Lobaugh departed this life on December 30, 2020 at the age of 82. Merlene Lobaugh, his wife of 63 years, followed close behind two days later on January 1, 2021. She was 81 years old. The couple resided in Ponca City, Oklahoma and were inseparable to the end.

Ed was born on March 4, 1938 in Hollis, Oklahoma to Marion Ephraim Lobaugh and Essie Ida (Card) Lobaugh. He grew up in the tiny town of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma alongside Merlene, who was born on April 16, 1939 to Johnie C. Winters and Charlene (Bagwell) Winters Schmidt.

The sweethearts married in 1957, right after Merlene’s high school graduation. Six decades later, Ed was still sneaking love notes into her sweater pockets every morning, and Merlene was still making eyes at him across the breakfast table.

Ed was an exceedingly charming, mischievous, and dynamic person. A voracious reader with the vocabulary to prove it, he published two books of poetry, preached countless sermons, and always had a kind word for everyone. He described himself as “loquacious” and loved to spin yarns. He spoke in a slow, easy drawl, with a folksy eloquence all his own.

Never to be outdone, Merlene was gracious, elegant, and iron-willed-the ultimate southern matriarch, and the perfect spice to Ed’s sugar. She could turn any day into a special occasion. No matter what trials came her way, she kept everyone afloat, and she did it in pearls and a sweater set. She was vibrant, clever, dauntless-a firecracker with a singular flair.

Together, they made flowers bloom, birds sing, and people laugh. The world was a warmer, more colorful place in their presence, and though it’s a tremendous blow to lose them both at once, it’s also yet another sign that nothing could ever keep them apart for long.

The love between Ed and Merlene was an inspiration to all who were lucky enough to know them, and it persists as a legacy that lives on in the family they built together. They leave behind their children Stacey, Russell, and Christina; grandchildren Jennifer, Nathan, Hannah, and Mary; a great-grandson, Ed’s namesake Teddy; Ed’s brother Larry and Merlene’s sister Verlane; and a wealth of friends and extended family. They go on to be reunited with their son Joseph, whom they have dearly missed, as well as Ed’s siblings Hazel Dee, Ila Fern, Perry Jo, Beth, and Jerry.

A grand celebration of life will be held in the couple’s honor at a future date. In the meantime, the family invites you to share your fond memories of Ed and Merlene at www.troutfuneralhome.com.

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