Obituary for Merle Greene
Merle Lee Greene, 94, of Peoria passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Bickford House in Peoria. Merle was born in Galesburg, IL on January 18, 1921 to the late Ozzie and Hazel Greene. His hometown was Abington, IL. He married his high school sweetheart, Edith Campbell, on October 1, 1944, in Berkeley, CA. She preceded him in death on July 6, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his son, James Campbell Greene and his brother, Duane (Dutch) Greene. His is survived by sons, Richard (Janet) Greene of Peoria, William (Bonnie) Greene of Sunrise Beach, MO and daughter, Susan (Peter) Tkocz of Pasadena, CA. Grandchildren are, Jennifer Martinez, Kevin (Amy) Greene and Brian Greene all of Chicago, Sarah (Mark) Reynolds of Denver, CO, Leslie (Benji) Hodel of Washington, D.C., Christopher Greene of Portland, OR, Todd Greene of East Peoria, Patrick (Christine) Greene of Camas, WA and Jordan and Jared Tkocz of Pasadena, CA. Great-grandchildren are, Anthony and Nicholas Martinez, Tessa Greene, Cheyanne Greene, Sophia and William Reynolds. Merle served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Corps in the Philippine Islands during World War II. He attended the University of Illinois and Western Illinois University. Merle was the Peoria Regional Manager for Standard Oil Company. He also worked at Great Central Insurance Co., Bliss Insurance Co., and Noah Herman Reality. Merle was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He loved watching all sports, but particularly enjoyed watching and cheering for the Cubs and the Bears. The love of his life was Edith, with whom he shared 68 years. They were blessed with four children. He took great pride and interest in his manicured yard and rose garden. With a fascination of birds, Merle enjoyed daily feeding and watching the variety of birds in his backyard. Edith and Merle traveled extensively and loved spending their winters in San Diego. Merle was a devoted Republican and a proud American. He spent his later years daily watching Fox News. Merle took great interest in the activities of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a great dad and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank the nurses and caregivers at Bickford House, Methodist Home visiting nurse, Bobby Brown, and Methodist Hospice nurse, Mae Roberts for their exceptional loving care. Cremation has been accorded and a burial for the family will be held at a future date in Abington, IL.
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