Merle A. “Sonny” Mearida

HENRY - Merle A. “Sonny” Mearida, 79, of Henry, Tenn., formerly of Wapella, Illinois died at 7:20 a.m., September 5, 2021 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Jackson, Tenn.

Services were Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Illinois with Jerry Hunter officiating.  Burial was 11 a.m. Monday, September 13, 2021 at the Danville National Cemetery with military honors. A Celebration of Life will be at a later date in McKenzie, Tenn.

Memorial may be directed to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Merle was born July 16, 1942 in Wapella, Illinois, the son of Merle C. “Buddy” and Rosa (Lowery) Mearida. He married Sharon Lehman March 2, 1963 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Mearida, Henry, Tenn., children, Janet (Rob) Wick, Bloomington, Illinois; Susan (Mike) Freed, Roberts, Illinois; Beth (Bradlie) Mennenga, Irving, Texas; and Kenneth (Kylene) Mearida, DeWitt, Illinois, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, siblings, Ronald (Vicki) Mearida, Wapella, Illinois; Nancy Scott, Bloomington, Illinois; and Barbara (Allen) Pence, Wapella, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Billy.

Sonny was a truck driver and was the owner of S&S Pallets in Wapella, Illinois.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving his country during the Vietnam Conflict. Sonny enjoyed spending winters in Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and eating with friends and family. He loved his dogs, Cody and Khloe and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.