Merle A. Weems

Merle Weems, 75, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2015 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Merle was born, Tuesday, September 12, 1939, in Iuka, Illinois, the son of Charlie W. and Bertha E. (Kuntsman) Weems. He graduated high school in Salem, Illinois. On Sunday, June 7, 1959, Merle married Patsy Lowery at the Lowery Church in Keenes, Illinois. In 1966, he was a graduate of Dale Carnegie Courses. Merle was a member of Parkview Christian Church.

He was an entrepreneur at heart in farming, the restaurant business and the shoe store. Merle also devoted over 30 years to the City of Mt. Carmel as city commissioner and city administrator, was active in the Chamber of Commerce and was on the Wabash County Merchants Association for 24 years as Weem’s Shoe Shanty. Merle was involved with District 348 School Board. He loved to coach Little League baseball as well as basketball. Merle volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He truly enjoyed serving his fellow man and the community.

Merle received many awards. He was Boss of the Year of Weems Family Restaurant, received the IASB Award of Merit, 2002 placed 3rd in Skeet League, 2003 first place in the Golf Tournament and was awarded Key to the City of Mt. Carmel. 1974 to 1976 he received the Commendation for Community Service Award for the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and 1981 to 1983 he was awarded Certificate of Appreciation also to the Mt. Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

He liked bowling, softball, hunting, fishing, gardening, coin collecting and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan and an IU fan. After retirement, he enjoyed gun collecting. Some of his fondest memories were the trips to Tulsa, Oklahoma and Louisville, Kentucky to trade and deal guns with friends and collectors from around the globe.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 56 years, Pat; children, Brad (Annette) Weems of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Carol Weems of Haubstadt, Indiana, and Rodney (Shauna) Weems of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; grandchildren, Tiffany and Benjamin Weems, Jarrod Compton, Nicholas Weems, Laryn Rodgers, Nick Rodgers and Kody Baker; and a brother, Bill (Keiko) Weems of Olney, Illinois.

Preceded in death were his parents and three brothers, Keith, Kenneth and Tony Weems.

Family and friends may call Sunday, August 2, 2015 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Short Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday, August 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home, 527 N Mulberry Street with burial immediately following at Highland Memorial Cemetery, 1827 College Drive.

Memorials may be made to Parkview Christian Church, American Cancer Society or Celtic Hospice. Envelopes will be provided at Short’s.

The family would like to thank Celtic Hospice for the wonderful care given to their loved one.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Weem’s family.