A private graveside will be held for 66-year-old Merlin G. Steele of Evansville, Illinois, who passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 5:02 p.m., at Red Bud Regional Care Center, Red Bud, Illinois.
He was born March 16, 1956 to the late Edward and Doris (nee Hacker) Steele in Red Bud, Illinois.
Merlin grew up on a small dairy farm west of Marissa. He attended Marissa schools and after school he worked for Marissa Township for over 46 dedicated years.
Merlin was also a member of Operators Local No. 520.
He enjoyed working with metal and was a novice blacksmith.
In his earlier years, he did a lot of trapshooting with his buddies and enjoyed riding his motorcycle and with the Randolph County Riders Group.
Merlin was known to do a lot of wood cutting on big trees with a big chainsaw.
Survivors include his significant other Linda Gann of Marissa, IL; step children: Trista (Jacob) Emke of Damiensville, IL and Chris (Dana) Gann of Hecker, IL; two siblings: Janice (Norman) Smith of Walsh, Il and Curtis “Critter” (Gretchen) Steele of Coulterville, IL; a niece: Lisa (Jeff) Lake of Ellis Grove, IL; a nephew: Perry (Linda) Smith of Snowflake, AZ; a great niece: Bobbie Lake (Ryan LeForge) of Sparta, IL; two great nephews: Blaise Lake of Ellis Grove, IL and Jackson “JD” Smith of Flagstaff, AZ; a great-great niece: Ella Mae LeForge of Sparta, IL; an aunt: Marilyn German of Tucson, AZ and many cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson: Jason Gann.
It was Merlin’s wish to be cremated. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.