Merle was born on a farm west of Beemer, NE to Benjamin and Katie (Miller) Martin on December 16, 1922. He attended Cuming County Rural School District #7 through 8th grade. and graduated from Beemer High School in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1944 and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois.. He was briefly sent to San Francisco, CA before being permanently stationed at a submarine base in Hawaii where he served as a firefighter. Following his discharge in June 1946, Merle returned home to continue helping his dad with farming and raising livestock.

On July 4, 1954, Merle married Arvolene Ott at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Beemer, during a record-setting heat wave. He was confirmed and joined the church on November 9, 1954. Together with their seven children, they farmed and raised livestock, teaching by example the value of faith in God, hard work, service to your community and country, and the joy of family and friends. In 1970, Merle and Arvolene purchased a farm south of Beemer. Merle enjoyed an active life of roller skating, hunting, skiing, playing softball, and bicycling.

Macular degeneration forced him to retire from farming in 1998, and Merle and Arvolene moved into town. Merle continued to bike and walk around town despite impaired eyesight, always in his bright orange vest and cap, and with so many caring people looking out for him - just in case. He was proud to achieve the honor of 72 years as a member of the American Legion.