MATTOON
Thursday, March 20, 2003

 

Merl William Cline, age 82, of Mattoon, passed away at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at his residence.
Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, March 22, at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverend Richard Coen officiating at the Schilling Funeral Home. Burial with flag presentation by the V.F.W. Psot 4325 will follow in the Smyser Cemetery, rural Gays. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
Merl was born December 28, 1920, in Elgin Township, Iowa, a son of Hio and Anna Wilkerson Cline. He married Betty Leone Carter on May 25, 1945. She passed away on April 28, 1990. He was also preceded in death by his parents; five children, Roger Alan Cline, Roberta Jean Shadow, Cathy Jo Cline, Deborah Lynn Cline and Mary Lee Cline; and one sister, Mary Lee Arnold.
Survivors include two sons, Merle William Cline Jr. and wife Lana of Mattoon, David W. Cline and wife Debbie of Mattoon; three daughters, Rebecca Ann Finley and husband David of Gays, Connie Lane and husband Edward of Sullivan and Patsy G. Cline of Mattoon; one brother, Joe Dale Cline Sr. and wife Virginia of Butler, Mo.; fifteen grandchildren, Dawn and Bryan Shadow, Laura Snyder, JoAnn Ray, Chad Finley, Pennie Zollman, Nikki Lane, Sean Lane, Paul, John and Angie Cline, James and Megan Cline, Jason and Jessica Cline; eleven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Merle proudly served his country during World War II in the Army Air Force. Mr. Cline retired from Reinhart Tractor, Inc. of Mattoon.
In lieu of floral tributes, memorial gifts may be made to the Smyser Christian Church Cemetery Fund.