C. Merle Parry, 90 of Chenoa passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2013 in Largo, FL.

Charles Merle Parry was born November 18, 1922 in Pontiac, the son of Charles W. and Beryl (Dunn) Parry. He Married Carolyn Winter on April 13, 1946. She survives in Chenoa. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother in-law, John A. Capasso.

Also surviving are his daughter Karen Wills and grandson, James Wills both of Largo, FL; one sister Virginia Capasso of Chenoa; two nephews, Dr. John (Jean-Marie)Capasso of Fairbury; Jeff (Regan) Capasso of Windsor, CO; one niece, Cathy (Dan)Baird of Austin, TX.

A memorial service will be at 3 pm, Sunday, May 26, 2013 at Chenoa Presbyterian Church, Chenoa with Pastor Dan Patterson officiating. There will be a visitation with the family from 1 to 3 pm prior to the service also at the Church in Chenoa. Memorials left in his name may be directed to Chenoa Historical Society, PO Box 64, Chenoa, Illinois or Chenoa Presbyterian Church. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Merle graduated from Chenoa High School in the class of 1940 and attended the University of Illinois, Urbana; where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. He was a partner and manager of C.W. Parry and Son in Chenoa from 1943 to 1968. They operated country grain elevators, a retail coal yard, distributors of bulk petroleum products and were plumbing and heating contractors. He also farmed between 1944 and 1955.

From 1969 to 1986 he became office manager for Yowell International Truck Sales of Normal, IL; and later spent a year as office manager for Merle Jones and Son's International Truck Dealers. He has been retired since then. Merle was chairman of the organizational committee for the National Bank of Chenoa, where he served as President of the Board from 1951 to 1971.

He was chairman of the organizational committee for the Chenoa Fire Protection District in 1957 and served as secretary of the Board of Trustees for over 30 years. He became a member of Chenoa Fire Dept. in 1948, retiring as Asst. Chief in 1982 and from duty in 1989. The Chenoa Fire Station was dedicated to him in 1992 in recognition of his 40 plus years of service.

He was an organizer of the McLean County Fireman's Association in 1959, serving as President for one term and secretary for 15 years and was instrumental in developing a Mutual Aid master plan for the county. He served as Vice- Chairman of the committee for the organization of McLean County Heavy Rescue Squad in 1965. He served as a director of Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts for over 20 years, serving as president from 1980 to 1982. He was director of Civil Defense in Chenoa from 1958 to 1968.

Merle was a former member, Master and troop committee member of Chenoa Boy Scouts. In 1954 he was chairman of a very successful Chenoa Centennial Celebration. He was recipient of Chenoa's Man of the Year award in 1985. Merle was a railroad fan, historian and collector whose hobbies included model railroading. He belonged to a variety of railroad historical societies. He was also a Civil War buff who traveled to most of the Civil War battlefields.

Known as Chenoa's Historian, he was a founder and the 1st President of the Chenoa Historical Society and was a member of various county historical societies. Merle was a member of the Chenoa and Pontiac Masonic Lodges, a member of the Chenoa Presbyterian Church, Chenoa Rotary and former member of Lake Michigan Yachting Association, Wide Waters and Starved Rock Yacht Clubs. He and his wife Carolyn spent 23 winters in Treasure Island, FL and the last two in Largo, FL.