Merril Dean Humphreys

Merril Dean Humphreys, 85, of Imperial, Nebraska, passed from this life to eternal life Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Graveside services have been scheduled for 11 a.m. (MT) Friday, December 5 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial, with lunch to follow at the Imperial Global Methodist Church. Casual attire is suggested.

Liewer Funeral Homes in Imperial is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to Imperial Global Methodist Church, Chase County Schools athletic programs, Imperial Public Library, Imperial Lions Club, Chase County Historical Society or Imperial Community Center.

Merril was born September 9, 1940, on a farm in southeast Dundy County to William “Kermit” and Opal (Lemon) Humphreys. He was the second of five children raised in a house without indoor plumbing.

He graduated from Max High School in 1958. There were three people in his class; he used to joke that he graduated in the top third of his class. He attended McCook Junior College, Nebraska State Teachers College, Kearney State College, University of Nebraska at Kearney and Chadron State College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in elementary guidance counseling.

He married the love of his life, Sylvia Alsbury, on December 29, 1961, in Benkelman, Nebraska. From their union, they welcomed three children: Tami, Lori, and Kevin.

Merril taught for a total of 40 years in schools in Dundy County, Palisade, Hayes Center and, finally, Imperial, where he remained until his retirement. He taught seventh- and eighth-grade science at Imperial Middle School before becoming the elementary guidance counselor.

As a faithful follower of Christ, Merril took Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself” to heart. He was willing to help anyone who needed it. He shared vegetables from his garden with anyone who would accept them, and used his woodworking skills to make everything from children’s rocking chairs to display cases for veterans’ flags to large pieces of furniture. He was a familiar figure at school sporting events, frequently volunteering to take admission.

He was an active member of the Methodist Church in Imperial, doing everything from leading Bible studies to mowing the lawn. When the new church was built, he made the wood frames for the stained glass windows salvaged from the old building.

He also was a member of the Imperial Lions Club.

Merril was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lyle and Levoine; and a sister, Shary Boon.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Sylvia of Imperial; two daughters, Tami Humphreys of Hastings and Lori Faeh and her husband, Andy, of Central City; one son, Kevin of Holyoke, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Luke Faeh, Logan (Tara) Faeh, Audra (Barry) Morse, Anna Faeh, April Faeh, Ashley Humphreys and Megan (Seth) Thompson; two great-granddaughters, Lenora Faeh and Avery Thompson; and one sister, Ila Foster of Omaha.