Merland H. Lewis, 67 of Abingdon, passed away at 7:17 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018 at his home.
He was born June 9, 1950 in Galesburg, the son of Earl M. and Eileen M. (Bent) Lewis. He married Dianna Hahn on February 21, 1975 in Galesburg.
Merland is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Dianna; two daughters, Cher (Doug) Russell of Evans, Colorado and Samantha Martin (T.J. Simkins) of Abingdon; 5 grandchildren, Airman Chase Russell of Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, Kruz and Keegan Simkins of Abingdon, Tommy Martin of Camdenton, Missouri and Private Codie (Bridget) Martin of Schofield Army Barracks, Hawaii; 3 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Fred (Sharon) Lewis of Abingdon and Robert H. (Linda) Lewis of London Mills; a sister-in-law, Linda Bent of Abingdon; his mother-in-law, Beverly Hahn of Abingdon; sisters-in-law, Kathy Hahn (Eugene Kenney) of Abingdon and Jan Gavin of Galesburg; a brother-in-law, Merlin Hahn of Mundelein; several nieces, nephews and their families; and a very close friend, Ron Thomas of rural Galesburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Bent, his son-in-law, Roger Martin Sr., his father-in-law, Dean Hahn and his brother-in-law, Gregg Gavin.
Merland had lived most of his life in Abingdon. He attended Abingdon schools and later earned his GED while serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed at Camp Casey in Korea. He worked at several places including Galesburg Malleable Castings, Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon, Farmland in Monmouth and Wal-Mart in Galesburg, where he retired from in the summer of 2012. He enjoyed hunting and hunted several deer seasons on the Kenny Myers farm with Kenny and his friends. He also enjoyed fishing and he was a Green Bay Packer fan. He loved his family, especially his grandkids.
Family and friends are invited to join in the celebration of his life from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2019 at a cookout at the Abingdon Community Center, 801 W. Martin St. Bring a picture or ornament to help the family decorate a tree in his memory.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mr. Merland H. Lewis, please visit our floral store.