Calvin D Merritt

Born May 31, 1932 in Shawnee, OK to Wilfred M. and May D. (French) Merritt, he married Marilee J. Randall. She died July 4, 1965. He later married Carmen Marie Curto on February 5, 1984 in South Pekin. She died February 26, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Gina Wood; one son, Calvin D. Merritt, Jr.; two grandsons, RJ Merritt and Eric; and one great-granddaughter, Kyla’H; one brother, Bob Merritt; and one sister, Wilma Milner.

Surviving are six daughters, Claudette (John, Jr.) Sweeney of South Pekin, Linda (Fred) Rutledge of Springfield, Deanna (Billie Bellville) Martin of Norwood, Kelley (Del) Nagel of Pekin, Billie Jo (Duane) Durbin of Pekin and Pam (Ed) Autrey of Green Valley; five sons, Mark (Gayle) Merritt of Pekin, Randy (Renee) Merritt of South Pekin, Michael (Michele) Pawelczak of Springfield, Tony (Laura) Pawelczak of Pekin, and Todd Merritt of Pekin; twenty-nine grandchildren; and thirty-seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Miles Merritt of Meeker, OK..

Don was a self-employed mechanic and had owned and operated Lone Star Used Cars & Parts in Pekin from 1962 to 1984. He later owned and operated C&C Grain Bin Co. in Pekin from 1986 to 2008.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Don was an excellent story-teller. He loved racing, especially the short-track. Don had built several race cars for local drivers.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2015 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Stephen Barch will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Woodrow Cemetery in rural Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to the donor’s choice.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com