Michael Charles Merry

Michael Charles Merry, age 83 of Dieterich, passed away on November 20, 2025, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham, Illinois. Michael was born on October 23, 1942, in Effingham, Illinois, the son Lovell Charles and Beulah Mae (Harris) Merry. Michael graduated from the Dieterich High School Class of 1960 and then Graduated from Eastern Illinois University class of 1964. Michael married his wife Dorothy Marie Bloemker on November 26, 1961, at St. Paul's Evangelical and Reform Church in Bible Grove, Illinois by Rev. Alvin Knicker. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Dieterich Village Cemetery in Dieterich, Illinois. Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Dieterich Community Education Foundation at 4AGC.com. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

Michael served as the Manager for the SS Kresge Company, later renamed Kmart serving several stores over the years. He served in Springfield, Il., Peoria, IL., downtown St. Louis, MO. Hazelwood, MO., Bridgeton, MO., Collinsville ,IL., Alton, IL., returned to Peoria, IL., then to Belleville, IL., Peru, IL., North County, St. Louis, MO. Decatur, IL., lastly to Danville, IL., the retired on November 11, 1997.

Over the years, as Michael was transferred to several Kmart locations, he was always involved in several churches and organizations. He belonged to the Dieterich Christian Church, baptized in 1953 at Charlie Brown Church Camp, Kiwanis in North County, MO. Red Cross Committee in Mt. Zion, he was past president, vice president and secretary for the Ruritan club in Dieterich, Il. He was the Ruritan District Treasurer, DCDC in Dieterich, IL. He was a Services Board Member for the Heartland Human Services in Effingham, IL, TREC Board Member in Effingham, on the Board of Directors for the Bishop Mutual Ins, Co. Michael was the Treasurer for the Collinsville Christian Church, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Elder at the Mt. Zion Christian Church, was a member of the Central Christian Church in Danville, treasurer for St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Land Planning and Zoning member for 2 years for the Village of Dieterich, Trustee for the Village of Dieterich for 8 years and attends the Christ's Church in Effingham, Il.

Michael is survived by his wife Dorothy Merry
Children: Jan Colleen (Dwight) Hill
Jill Marie (Michael)Tyner
Mark Charles (Desila) Merry
Grandchildren: Alison (Matt Demers) Hill , Amanda (Kiara) Bickers, Ashley Hill (Kyle Wood), Clayton (Jordan) Tyner, Courtney (Dan) Hobein, Kyle Merry, Derek Merry (Natalie LeBaube)

Great-grandchildren: Gauge and Haisley Hobein, Everett and Hayden Bickers

Brother, James D. (Ann) Merry
Brother-in-law, Garland Bloemker
and Nieces: Jennifer, Lisa, Katie, Heather and Megan

Michael was preceded in death by his parents Lovell and Beulah Merry