Merlin Ernest Fowler

After Suffering from Lung Cancer/Emphysema/COPD for 14 plus years, his agony finally over, Merlin Ernest Fowler, age 77 of Normal, Illinois, peacefully left this world to be with The Lord, with his wife and companion by his side, on August 11th at this home in Normal. Merlin (Mert/Merl) was born at home in rural Carlock, Illinois, on November 16, 1936 to Ernest Winfield and Nina Mae (Stuckey) Fowler. Merlin loved being a farmer, helping his father farm (along with his brothers) and tending the stock, milking the cows, etc. Merlin belonged to the SilverLeaf 4-H club and took pride in his project of raising sheep. Also he and his brothers enjoyed working and helping others with chores, etc. for some of their neighbors on occasion. Merlin began his education attending one room school houses (White Oak and Maple Grove) in rural McLean County and elementary school in Carlock. He and his brothers and sisters walked to school mostly and occasionally rode horses and rode in a horse and buggy, picking up other neighboring kids along the way. He loved telling the stories of school days – times were much different then and the ‘boys’ loved to torment the teachers! He then attended Central High School and NCHS graduating from NCHS in 1955. While in High School, Merlin joined and completed Reserve training for the military. After graduation, he and his two buddies, Jerry and Roger decided to join the military. Merlin signed up with the U.S. Air Force along with Roger, while Jerry decided to join the Marines. Merlin was sent to Amarillo, Texas AFB for Basic Training, and then was transferred to Chanute AFB at Rantoul, and then on to O’Hare AFB in Chicago where he was offered the opportunity to serve his country in Alaska at Anchorage AFB. His duties there included managing the shop where he worked on Jet Engines. After being honorably discharged in 1959, he returned to the Bloomington area where he worked as a mechanic and later had his own shop in Farmer City, IL. While working in the shop at Five Star Truck Stop in Bloomington, he became acquainted with Maurice Stahly and his brothers. This launched his interest into the trucking industry. He loved driving semi’s throughout the Midwest for Horace Evans until 1968. He then became Night Manager at Skelly Truck Stop in Normal, and later went to work at Firestone Tire company where he remained (always on call) for 28 years until his health forced him to retire in 2001.

In 1961, while driving for Horace Evans, he met and married a girl from his former childhood neighborhood, Sharon (Harris) then from Flanagan, Illinois. (Sharon’s sister was a classmate of Merlin’s)Three loving children were born to them; Alisa Ann Fowler (Regenold), Wade Steven Fowler, and Keith Eric Fowler. He was very proud of his family, never wanting to go anywhere without them. He took them riding in his semi and even took Alisa at the age of ‘3’ to Chicago with him to show her off. Times were good, and looking back, were much simpler then.

Surviving are his wife of 53+ years, two brothers; Edward Fowler, Paul (Marilyn) Fowler; three sisters: Bessie Fowler, Eileen Runion, and Shirley (Darnell)Denniston. Also, surviving are his children: Alisa (Jeff), Wade (Melissa), and Keith, and grandsons: Scott Alan Fowler, Steven Alan (Dani) Fowler, Michael Alan Fowler, Daniel Wade Fowler, Jacob Eric Fowler and Cole Jameson (Rebekah) Regenold and his beautiful great granddaughters: Victoria Rose Fowler, MaeLynn Piper Ann Fowler, Riley Sue Murrell, Kaylee Ann Fowler and his first great grandson, Mason Eric Fowler. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles also survive. Merlin also leaves behind very special friends/ extended family: Chrystal Murrell, Dawn Stearns, Tori Hodges, Lyndsey Barremore. Among those he counted as very close friends were Bob and Eileen Martin, and other fellow Firestone employees who cared enough to visit him during his long and difficult illness. While working for the Evans family, he became very close to the entire family, especially David and Dick and loved to tell stories about their driving days together.

Merlin was preceded in death his parents, one brother: Bill Fowler and one sister: Betty Fowler; three sisters-in-law: Millie (Bill), DeeAnn (Paul), Jeri (Edward), and brother-in-law Don (Eileen) and one daughter-in-law: Billie Jo (Keith).

Merlin loved talking about the past and telling many stories about his life adventures. He was very proud to be able to serve his country in the United States Air Force! He especially enjoyed his time and adventures in Alaska. He was there, among the many other soldiers, “At-The-Ready” when Russia was about to invade America. He was a ‘cowboy’ at heart and always dreamed of owning his own big cattle ranch out West! His long, hard ‘struggle’ with lung cancer/COPD is finally over and he is at rest with The Lord!

Merlin was a dyed-in-the-wool Cubs fan, always rooting for them to make the World Series.

Thank you to the many Prayer Warriors and those special friends and family that stood by him throughout his long terrible battle with Lung Disease. Also, a special thank you to the Home Care Nurse (Debbie) and Therapist (Arni) and the entire staff from Vital Wellness. Debbie will always hold a special place in our hearts. Also, thank you to Dave from PATH. We will always be thankful for his concern, patience and compassion during Merlin’s illness. Also, thank you to Dr. Sriratana, Dr. Leak, and Dr. Kenney, as well as the entire staff at Advocate BroMenn Hospital, and at Illinois Heart and Lung for their patience and caring throughout this very difficult time. Most recently, thank you to the Care and Compassion of the ‘special’ nurses, social workers, and especially the Chaplain, Stephanie, as well as the rest of the staff at Advocate BroMenn Hospice.

Merlin was a very hard/dependable worker his whole life, setting an excellent example of work ethics for his children/grandchildren. Life will never be the same without him.

Funeral Service will be 11am Friday August 15, 2014 with Visitation one hour prior at East Lawn Funeral Home, 1102 Airport Rd. Bloomington. IL 61704.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family