Mervin D. Lee

KANSAS, IL – Mervin Dale Lee, age 61 of Kansas, Illinois, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 while at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 27, 2018 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, with Pastor Tom Skinner officiating.  Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery located southeast of Charleston in Hutton Township.   Donations in his honor may be made to Carle Hospital Cancer Center in Urbana and may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Mervin was born May 29, 1957 in Charleston, Illinois, a son of the late Elmer J. and Esther (Blaney) Lee.  He is survived by two children whom he dearly loved, Nathaniel Lee of Kansas, Illinois and Esther Lee of Interlachen, Florida; a granddaughter whom he adored, Kimberley Lee; three sisters, Nancy Keys (Wayne) of Paris, Illinois, Patty Bennett (Steve) of Kansas, Illinois and Rita Orsborn (Ron) of Greenup, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.  He was preceded by two brothers, Darrell and Max Lee; and Bob and Fannie Snyder who Mervin regarded as family.

Mervin was a 1975 graduate of Charleston High School and considered Friendship Baptist to be his church home.  Mervin was employed as a press operator at Hi Cone in Charleston but the job he loved most was farming.  Mervin was a fan of John Deere tractors and was a regular spectator at all the local tractor pulls, and enjoyed an occasional afternoon of fishing.  Mervin’s greatest joys in life came from family, especially Nate, Esther and Kimberley and spending time with other family and close friends.  Mervin never knew a stranger and was always willing to help others in need.