Robert Leon Merriel, 82,of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 22, 1939, the son of  John Robert Merriel and Eleanor Ruth (Anthis) Merriel.   Leon married Carol February 10, 1962, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton, Indiana. They had six children; John (Tammy) Merriel of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Lisa (Harvey) Howell of Lucedale Mississippi, Janine (Jeff) Hiatt of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Kris (Rick) Leveque of Browns, Illinois, Pat (Leah) Merriel, and Diane (Earnest) Bulin, all of Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

Leon was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He served his country in the U.S. Army in the Military Police. He worked as a tool and die maker at SnapOn Tools for thirty-nine years. He liked to keep busy with wood working projects for the grandchildren and making crosses for the Baptisms at the Church. He helped serve the Funeral Dinners at St. Mary Church. He enjoyed fishing and watching old western movies. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were a great joy to him and always made him smile.

In addition to his children, Leon is survived by his grandchildren, Brandon (Sierra) Merriel, Caleb (Morgan) Merriel, Justin Merriel, Scott (Brittany) Hiatt, Jessica (David) Onyett and Jacob (Kelsie) Hiatt Tyler Leveque, Adam (Kiera) Leveque, Ryan (Brittany) Merriel, Lori (Colten) Cotner, Hunter (Krystal) Merriel, Malachi, Rylee and Alex Bulin,; twenty great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law Tom (Joann) Kieffer and special friend, Ellen Grounds.

Leon is preceded in death by his parents; wife of sixty years, Carol; and six siblings’ sisters Catherine Schwartz, Virginia Choatie, Bobbie Walls, Doris Renner and Lulu Belle McClane, Laverda Marie Merriel.

The Funeral Service for Leon Merriel will be Friday, February 25, 2022 at 12:00 noon at St. Mary Catholic Church. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. He will be buried with full military honors next to his wife at St. Mary Cemetery, Poplar Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

COVID-19 precautions, wearing of face coverings, social distancing and use of hand sanitizer is recommended.

Memorials may be made to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453.  Envelopes will be available at the church or funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com          

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Leon’s family.