Merrill "M.J." Straight, 86, died Monday, September 4, 2017 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born September 4, 1931 at Dodge City, the son of Merrill Denver and Margaret (Baker) Straight. He was a lifetime Dodge City resident. He was a graduate of Dodge City High School and received his Associates Degree form Dodge City Junior College. He owned and operated Mahon's Boot Hill Flying service from 1971 to 1986. In 1994 he began work as a Rural Mail Carrier until retiring in 2001. He served in the Army National Guard for 23 years, attaining the rank of Major. He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and 3rd Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 2955 both in Dodge City. He had a passion for flying, was very innovative and enjoyed building and fixing things. On July 15, 1973 he married Barbara J. Burkhart at the St. Mary of the Plains Chapel in Dodge City. Survivors include: his wife, Barbara, Dodge City; his 4 sons, Joe Straight, Dodge City, Jerry Straight and wife Alicia, Parker, Colorado, Robert Straight and wife Claudia, Aurora, Colorado and Bill Straight, Topeka; 2 sisters, Jean Luedtke, Cut Bank, Montana and Pat Anders, Dodge City; 5 grandchildren, Jordyn Straight, Katelyn Straight, Haley Straight, Summer Straight and Brittany Ruland and husband Jacob; and a great grandson, Ayden Ruland. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Mike and 2 brothers-in-law, Lawrence Anders and Vic Luedtke. Vigil service will be 7:00 pm Friday, September 8, 2017 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Funeral Mass will be10:00 amSaturdayat the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Inurnment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery with full military honors by Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714 and Military Honors for the State of Kansas. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register from10:00 am to 7:00 pmFridayat Ziegler Funeral Chapel. The family suggests memorials to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Newman University (for Nursing Scholarships) all in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.