Merle R. Hendren Obituary (1925

Merle R. Hendren, 95, of Le Roy, Illinois, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, Illinois. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 19, 2020, in Oak Grove Cemetery, Le Roy, Illinois, with Pastor Mattheis Lorimor officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Le Roy Emergency Ambulance Service or any Le Roy Church. Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home in Le Roy, Illinois, is assisting the family with arrangements. Merle was born on July 9, 1925, in Le Roy, Illinois, to Sidney and Mabel Anderson Hendren. He married Helen Orr on January 22, 1946, in Le Roy, Illinois. She preceded him in death in 1993. He is survived by his children, Kenny (Cindy) Hendren of Mahomet, Illinois, Donna (Mike) Greene of Champaign, Illinois, and Rusty (Lynnette) Hendren of Le Roy, Illinois; grandchildren, Byron (Mari), David (Mary), Jeff (Abby), Jennifer (Jason) Vallowe, Jill (Ryan) Moore, Jacob, Jared, and Emily Hendren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and special friend, Eleanor Yount. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, five sisters, and a special friend, Dorothy Golden. Merle was an United States Army veteran. He was a member of the Le Roy First United Methodist Church and was a 32nd Degree Mason. He farmed in the Bellflower/Le Roy area until his retirement in 1992. He was a student at Stumptown School in rural Le Roy, and served as a member of the Bellflower High School Board for 12 years. He loved spending his winters in Venice, Florida playing golf. Merle was a member of the Le Roy Country Club and played golf all over Illinois with the McLean County Seniors. Merle and Helen enjoyed dancing, and they were amazing ballroom and country dancers. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and devoted friend who will be deeply missed.