LODA — Eugene W. Merkle, of Loda and previously of Danforth, was born in Kankakee on July 19, 1929, the son of William C. Merkle and Emma E. Siemons Merkle. He handed away Friday (Feb. 19, 2021).
He attended the Merkle One Room Nation College by means of March of his fifth-grade 12 months. Then he attended the Kern One Room Nation College by means of eighth grade. Each colleges had been in Danforth Township.
He graduated from Gilman Excessive College in 1947, then labored one 12 months earlier than attending faculty. A number of folks had advised him if he waited to go to varsity he would by no means get there, however his dedication prevailed. He graduated from the College of Illinois in 1952, incomes a level in agriculture economics with an emphasis in farm administration.
On Jan. 27, 1951, he married the love of his life, Patricia M. Fordyce, on the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilman. They’d simply celebrated their seventieth marriage ceremony anniversary in January of this 12 months. She survives.
Eugene “Gene” and Patricia lived and raised their household in Danforth, till shifting to Bayles Lake in Loda, in 1997.
In 1952, they welcomed their first-born, and Gene graduated from the College of Illinois.
Gene and Pat had 10 youngsters, together with seven sons and three daughters, and life was filled with journey, onerous work, dedication, self-discipline, love and respect.
His spouse and eight of these 10 youngsters survive him, David, of Bourbonnais, Kevin, of Champaign, Stuart (deceased), Gayle Merkle-Matt, of Champaign, Ross (deceased), Lisa (Jim) Redenius, of Gilman, John (Mindy), of Lombard, Mary (Bo) Merkle-Bargmann, of Champaign, James (Julie), of Tinley Park, Robert (Kirsten), of Bloomington; 19 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Gene’s early profession concerned working for a agency offering soil testing and farm administration providers.
In 1960, with seven youngsters and the eighth on the best way, he began his personal farm administration service, insurance coverage company and actual property agency positioned in Gilman. He continued to serve his shoppers for greater than 60 years till his retirement in 2013.
He was a member of the The American Society of Skilled Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He was additionally a member of Illinois Affiliation of Realtors, Illinois Impartial Brokers, The Rotary Worldwide, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Gene was a member of Immaculate Conception Church of Gilman and served on the constructing committee and parish council and was a third Diploma Knights of Columbus. He was on the board of administrators of the Bayles Lake Affiliation for a number of years.
He really loved woodworking, caring for his garden and gardening. He additionally loved stained glass and ceramics hobbies. Gene was loyal and devoted to each member of his household, and would do something for them. He was nice to go to for useful recommendation. He had an infinite and tireless drive to get issues carried out.
His peaceable passing at residence leaves an enormous void inside his household.
Visitation shall be from 5 p.m. to eight p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Knapp-Redenius Funeral House, Gilman. Funeral providers shall be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilman, with the Rev. Marek Herbut officiating. Burial will observe in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Gilman.
Memorials could also be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice or the charity of the donor’s alternative.
Funeral preparations are by Knapp-Redenius Funeral House in Gilman.
Please signal his on-line guestbook at knappfuneralhomes.com.
