OBITUARY: F. Merle Dailey
F. Merle Dailey, age 91, died at 5:10 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2013, at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin.
He was born Oct. 5, 1921, in Harrisburg to Fred and Hazel Mae (Gulley) Dailey. He married Hazel Marie Hilliard on April 21, 1945, in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Survivors include sons, Stephen and Sandra Dailey of Marion, Michael and Sherry Dailey of Marion, Perry and Sandra Dailey of Metropolis; and daughter, Marta and Rod Smith of Harrisburg; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kent (Heather), Blake and Brianna Dailey of Marion, Beth Upton, Ryan, Dalton and Caleb of Marion, Brian (Tenley), Briley, Britten and Brooklyn Dailey of Marion, Kevin (Robin) Ethan, Fromm and Evan Dailey of Marion, Joe (Lacy) Dailey of Paducah, Ky., Leanna Dailey of Metropolis, Joanna and Jolee Dailey of Metropolis, Angie (Bill) and Britt Peyton of Norris City, Andrew (Jennifer), Micalea, Goebel and Drew Sweat of Marion, and a sister, Reba Lane of Marion; nephews, Dick (Maggie) Hilliard of Richmond, Va., David (Julie) Hilliard of Harrisburg; nieces, Judy (Hugh) LaBounty of Oceanside, Calif., Myrna (Robert) Bossler of San Diego, Calif., and Sharon (Richard) Hazley of Harrisburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife Hazel, of 55 years; parents; one sister, Lavern Allen.
Merle graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in the class of 1940. He served his nation during WWII in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer USS Goldsboro in the North Atlantic and later as a Shore Policeman in California. He loved playing baseball and played on a traveling team into his 40's. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals. He worked as a lineman for Southeastern Illinois Electric Coop for 40 years; he loved his job and keeping the lights on. Merle was of the Baptist faith. He was a lifetime member of Ainad Shriners, Golconda Masonic Lodge 131 A.F. & A.M., American Legion Post 167 in Harrisburg, VFW Post 9227 in Golconda and a 65 year member of the IBEW 702.
Merle never met a stranger and had a smile for everyone. He touched the lives of so many. He leaves behind a multitude of wonderful memories for his children and grandchildren to pass on. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and all those who knew him.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, at Aly Funeral Home in Eddyville. Masonic service will be 7 p.m. during visitation. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, at the funeral home. Military rites and burial will follow the service at Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg.
Memorials may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, Ill. 62222