Published on November 23, 2025 5:35 pm
Last Updated on November 23, 2025 5:35 pm
Michael Charles Merry, age 83 of Dieterich, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial 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.
Services are pending this time at the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Dieterich Community Education Foundation.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., then 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 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.