Loy Jean Merriman

Loy “Jean” Merriman, 86, of Peoria, Illinois, died Monday, October 22, 2012 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. He was born July 28, 1926 in Ramsey, Illinois. He was the son of Guy and Freeda (Davis) Merriman. He married Mary L. Larash on January 4, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Richard (Deanna) Merriman of Bartonville, Illinois, Jack (Linda) Merriman of Douglasville, Georgia, and Steve Merriman of Peoria, Illinois. There are five grandchildren, Jack Merriman Jr., Heather (Daniel) Harrigan, Denise Merriman, Nikolaus Merriman, and Alecia (Billy) Bernardoni. He has two great grandchildren, Ava and Luciano Harrigan. Jean has one sister surviving, Carolyn Murphy of Toulon, Illinois. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jon Bradley Merriman, and several brothers and sisters.

Jean worked for 37 years in Plant Protection at Caterpillar Inc. retiring in 1983. He was a World War II Army Veteran, a member of the Bartonville American Legion Post 979 and Alta Masonic Lodge #748 A.F. & A.M..

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Debbie Howard will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Thursday and Masonic Services will be at 10:50 AM. Burial will be in the Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria followed by military rites. Memorials may be made to the Alta Masonic Lodge # 748 AF & AM. You may view Jean’s life story at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.