On November 30, 2025, at the age of 97, Merline May Biswell passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus. Merline was born on July 18,1928 in Cushing, Oklahoma to Clarence Homer Crenshaw and Lula Faye Crenshaw. She grew up in Payne County Oklahoma and at a young age asked Jesus into her heart. Three days after her 18th birthday on July 21,1946 she married her sweetheart Robert (Bob) Frank Biswell in Howard, Kansas. Not long after exchanging their marriage vows, they moved to southeastern Kansas so that Bob could work for Phillips Petroleum. Together they raised three children. Merline joyfully embraced her calling as a homemaker and a wonderful mother, building a home grounded in faith and raising her children in the love and teachings of Jesus. Merline’s faith is what sustained her all her life, especially when Bob passed away in January of 1983. When Bob’s health began to decline, they moved back to Oklahoma so that they could be closer to family. Merline lived independently in her home in Agra, Oklahoma for 37 years. During this time, she always had a beautiful garden that she maintained by herself and many pets that she cared for and loved dearly. Merline’s house was a place of love and peace for her children and grandchildren. Countless holidays were spent there with family and friends, and her grandchildren will forever remember the incredible summers they had at Grandma’s house. Merline was a faithful member to her church Ripley First Church of God for over 42 years, and she cherished the relationships she built there.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, her siblings: Alva Crenshaw, Lawrence Crenshaw, Mansell Earl Crenshaw, Clarence Edsel Crenshaw, Charles Crenshaw, Bessie Vogt, Gladys Crenshaw, Mildred Smith, Wanda Johnston, Opal Martin and her beloved twin sister Earline Faye Crenshaw. As well as her son-in- law Ronald Mangus, a daughter- in -law Patricia Biswell, and her grandchildren Robert Gene Biswell Jr., Kathryn Eileen Biswell and Tammy Renee Garner. She is survived by her son, Robert Gene Biswell (Regena) of Cushing, Oklahoma; and her daughters, Pamela Kay Mangus of Conroe, Texas and Diane Lynn Daniels (Don) of Livingston, Texas. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Stephen Dinger (Danielle) of Tyler, Texas; Katy Sissons (Jeff) of Piedmont, Oklahoma; Ashleigh Mangus of Conroe, Texas; Daniel Dinger of Katy, Texas; Sarah Kichline (Justin) of Pasadena, Texas; and Anna Dinger of Katy, Texas as well as seven great- grandchildren: Kody, Kennedy, Miles, Emma, Sage, Blaine and Caleb.
In addition, she is survived by Regena’s children Cynthia Condrey of Cushing, Oklahoma; and her children Isabella Jones (Robert), and Faith Condrey; Melody Estes of Benton, Arkansas and her children Laken Ivanova (Dylan) and their children Novalee, Nadia and Neo; Jude Estes and his daughter Brayleigh, and Matthew Garner of Orlando, Florida, whom she cherished and loved deeply.
The family would like to thank the staff at Red Bud Assisted Living Center in Perkins, Oklahoma as well as the nurses and staff at the Drumright Nursing home for the wonderful care and compassion they showed our matriarch during her last days.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home. A visitation was held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Palmer Marler Funeral Home. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at First Church of God in Ripley, OK. Burial immediately followed at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
