Merwyn A. Klehm

CHARLESTON, IL – Merwyn Allen Klehm, age 79 of Charleston, passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Charleston.  The Graveside Service, honoring and celebrating his life, will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 10, 2018 at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon with Reverend Tom Corum officiating.  It is requested that donations in his honor be made to Wesley United Methodist Church and mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Merwyn was born October 5, 1939 in Decatur, Illinois, the only child of the late Walter A. and Lucille M. (Zorn) Klehm.  He is survived by several cousins and their families including Margie (Klehm) Whittenbarger and husband Richard of Charleston; and two close friends, Sarina Sun and Joshua Whipkey.

Merwyn was a graduate of Charleston High School, received both his bachelors and masters degrees from Eastern Illinois University and his Ph.D from Ohio State University.  He was a Professor of Vocational Education at Chicago State University from 1967-74 and at SIU Carbondale from 1974-1991.  Since his retirement from teaching, Merwyn has owned and managed real estate and rental apartments.

Merwyn was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, served with the Illinois Army National Guard from 1956-1962 and was previously a member of various professional organizations.  He was a private individual with interests that included restoring antiques, boating, spending time as his Lake Geneva, Wisconsin lakeside home, and traveling.