Fairbury – Merle D. Holmes, 88, of Fairbury, passed away at 1:04 am, September 21, 2019, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Cremation has been accorded.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30am, Thursday, September 26, 2019, at Forrest Township Cemetery. Pastor Tom Krieger will be officiating.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury.

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Merle was born May 27, 1931, in Fairbury, the son of Earl and Lela Moffett Holmes. He married JoAnn Lindenbaum on December 12, 1970, in Pontiac. She survives.

Also surviving are his twin sister, Marge Black of Clearmont, FL and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.

Merle was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict.

He was an industry foreman for the Illinois Department of Corrections, retiring after 22 years.

Merle was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury, Moose Lodge and Pontiac American Legion Post 78, where he was a member for 67 years.