- Visitation
Thursday, October 29, 2009
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2009
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Meyer Funeral Home
Lebanon, IL
- Service
Friday, Octoher 30, 2009
10:00 a.m.
St. Joseph Catholic church
Lebanon, IL
- Full Obituary
Merril J. Fohne, 85 of Lebanon, IL born September 2, 1924 in Lebanon, IL passed away Monday, October 26, 2009 at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center, Lebanon, IL.
Merril was the last of the "governors" that were the original farmers that started their farming career at the country circle, Northwest of Lebanon, IL. He was born in the house that he owns today, which was built by his father, using timber from the pasture. during his younger days, he attended school at Richwood School Road, also the Catholic School in Blackjack, IL for a short time, but leaving to help with the farming.
He raised cattle, milked cows, was a grain farmer for many years and butchered his own meat for his family but also was known for making the best summer sausage. His "smoke house" still stands with the original dirt floor.
In his later years of enjoyment, he visited with "Doctor Joanie" checking the crop fields, visiting neighbors and friends, especially the visits with his late brother, Clarence. He also enjoyed the girls from the Shell Station and the employees at Tom's Grocery Store.
Dad was a historian of the area, he could tell many stories of the Blackjack area, Mission Hill, also about Silver Creek. He believed in working hard, enjoying life, his grandchildren, and a good plate of food.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic church, Lebanon, IL; St. Clair County Farm bureau; Mid-America Dairy Assn; Mascoutah Moose Lodge 815; O'Fallon Sportmen; and Lebanon Singers.
Merril was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (nee Diaz) Fohne whom he married November 24, 1951 and who died March 29, 2005; his parents, John and Mary (nee Muck) Fohne; his son, Eddie J. Fohne (October 23, 2002); his son-in-law, Wes Keepper (nov. 28, 2003); his brother, Clarence Fohne, (May 28, 2009); two sisters, Mary Ellen Fohne and Virginia Hettenhausen and brothers-in-law, Donald Christ, Alfred Benhoff, Walter Hettenhausen.
Surviving are two sons - Kenneth (cindy) Fohne, Walker, Louisiana; Frank Fohne, Lebanon, IL; daughter-in-law, shirley Fohne, Summerfield, IL; three daughters, Theresa Keepper; Lebanon, IL; Elaine (mike) Kleine, Lebanon, IL and Inez (Bob) Drees, Collinsville, IL and one daughter-in-law, Tina Fohne, Pocahontas, IL. Eleven grandchildren, Cameran and Chadd Keepper, Lebanon, IL; Kimberly (Ray) Peck, Indiana, Brian Drees, Trenton, IL; Hannah Fohne, Louisana, Alan Rigsby, Trenton, IL; Renee (Rigsby)
Martinkovic, South Carolina; Joshua and Erik Fohne, Pocahontas, IL; Justin Fohne, Lebanon, IL; and Melissa (Randy) Blankenship, Carlyle, IL. Eight great grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Stella) Fohne, Collinsville, IL; three sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" christ, O'Fallon, IL; Mary Ann (Melvin) Seipp, O'Fallon, IL and doris Benhoff, O'Falon, IL; sister-in-law, Eileen Fohne, Collinsville, IL. He was a dear son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin. He was the foundation of our family and will be dearly missed.
VISITATION: Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Friday, October 30, 2009 from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at the Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, Octoher 30, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic church, Lebanon, IL at 10:00 a.m. with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lebanon, IL
MEMORIALS: St. Joseph Catholic Church, or Heartland Hospice.
MEYER FUNERAL HOME, LEBANON, IL
