Clyde Irvin "Irv" Merritt

CERRO GORDO - Clyde Irvin "Irv" Merritt, 84, passed away May 4, 2011 at Fairhavens Christian Nursing Home. Irv was born in the country outside of La Place, IL, March, 6, 1927 to Bertha (Burcham) Merritt and Clyde Merritt. He married Helenmae Merritt on March 13, 1946. She passed away in 2009. Visitation for Irv is Friday, May 6, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, Cerro Gordo with full Masonic rites at 7 P.M. A graveside funeral service will be Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Cerro Gordo Cemetery with military honors. Surviving is his daughter Lynn Merritt Kerby (Bob Kerby) of Decatur; grandsons Jack (Samantha) and Frank (Kelli) Stubbs of Phoenix, AZ; Jay Allison (fiancé Shirley) of Decatur and Tara (Tony) Rosetto of Springfield; sister Mary Ann Lehman; four great-grandchildren, nieces and nephew. Irv worked at ADM for twenty years and retired from CBQ. He and his wife Helenmae owned Mr. Big Stuff in Mt. Zion, IL during the 80s where Irv was the "hostess with the mostess" greeting and joking with his customers and friends and dancing nightly with Helenmae at the request of the customers. He never met a stranger and was willing to help everyone. As a young man he played softball, bowled and was an avid hunter. He loved his boat and fishing, especially fishing trips to Canada. Mr. Merritt proudly served in the Army during WWII. He was a Master Mason and 50-year member of the Cerro Gordo Lodge No. 600; a 32nd Degree Shriner; a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and American Legion. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Helenmae, his parents, brothers Lewis A. Merritt and Wilmer (Bill) Merritt. His charm and sense of humor will be sadly missed. Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlinger andearl.com. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/