Franck, Merlyn E. 93, of Dunedin, FL passed away Dec. 15, 2011 at Sunset Point Rehab Center in Clearwater, FL. He was born in Chatfield, Minn. on Jan. 25, 1918. He moved to Dunedin in 1964 from Ft. Worth, TX where he retired from the Air Force with the rank of Major. He was a Military Command Pilot with over 6000 hours of flying time. He was a dispatch operator with the Clearwater Police Dept. for fifteen years, He married Dorothy Wood on Apr. 25, 1945, His wife of 63 years preceded him in death in 2008. They had two children, Carol Ann Smalwley who preceded her parents in death and Susan Gail Palenik who resides in Dunedin with her husband, Michael. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kevin Smawley, Kimberly Stetz and Kristopher Smawley; Four great grandchildren, Nicole, Jennifer, Jonathan and Andrew. Merlyn has been a member of the Grace Lutheran Church since 1965. He was a past commander of the Clearwater Composit Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was also a member of the Military Officers Assc., Silver Wings Fraternity, American Legion, Florida Police Officers Assc., Dunedin Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star. Moslah Shrine Ft. Worth, TX, Elks Lodge and Good Sam's R.V. club. A Memorial Service will be held on Dec. 29, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church 1812 N. Highland Ave. Clearwater, FL. A Graveside will follow at Sylvan Abbey Cemetery on Sunset Point Road Clearwater, FL. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Grace Lutheran Church.