Carmen M Merritt

Born March 30, 1936 in Pekin to Charles C. and Anita (Berardi) Curto, she married Calvin Donald Merritt on February 5, 1984 in South Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Claudette (John Jr.) Sweeney of South Pekin, Linda (Fred) Rutledge of Springfield, Deanna (Harold Taylor) Martin of South Pekin and Kelley (Del) Nagel of Pekin; four sons, Mark (Gayle) Merritt of Pekin, Randy (Renee) Merritt of South Pekin, Michael (Michele) Pawelczak of Springfield and Tony (Laura) Pawelczak of Pekin;nineteen grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Gina Wood; two brothers, Joe Curto and Charles Curto; one grandson, and one great-granddaughter.

Carmen was employed as a nurse's aide at the Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville. She later worked as a bus driver for Hoyle Transportation in Pekin.

She enjoyed sewing, cake decorating and reading. She especially enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2009at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodrow Cemetery in rural Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.