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Shirley Joan Merrell, age 82, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 22, 2020, at her home in Centralia, Illinois with her loving family by her side. She was born on February 22, 1938, in Carlyle, Illinois, the daughter of Frank H. and Minnie (Meier) Lyman. She married Garland L. Merrell on August 6, 1958, at Saint Mary’s Church Rectory in Centralia, Illinois and he preceded her in death on April 29, 2008.
Mrs. Merrell is survived by her devoted and loving children, Melanie Trone and husband Greg of Centralia, Illinois, Julie Hepp of Centralia, Illinois and Doug Merrell and wife Angie of Waxahachie, Texas; grandchildren, Britnie Foltz and special friend Ansen Sterrett, Travis Trone and wife Erica, Ali Foltz, Bryce Foltz, Jordan Lynch and wife Rachel, Lexi Hepp, Devin Merrell and wife Danielle and Maccoy Merrell; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Rosemary Overton of Moline, Illinois and many nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to her loving husband of 49 years, Mrs. Merrell was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Curly Lyman; brothers, Joe Lyman and Fred Lyman and sister, Mary Ann Donoho.
Mrs. Merrell was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia, Illinois, where she was a long-time member of the Altar Sodality. She was very faithful to her church, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and praying the Rosary. She said prayers for everyone and kept a book with the names of the people that were included in her prayers. Mrs. Merrell enjoyed spending time with her friends and drinking coffee. She was one not to let dust settle under her feet and could be found always running errands and shopping around town. She loved her husband, Garland, and her children loved their mother as much as she loved them. She cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Merrell retired as a daycare worker from Mary’s House in Centralia, Illinois. She formerly was a bookkeeper for C.B. Sales in Centralia, Illinois, House of Décor in Centralia, Illinois and Fredman’s Furniture Store in Centralia, Illinois. She lived most of her life in Centralia, Illinois, except the first 14 years that were spent in Carlyle, Illinois.
A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Shirley Joan Merrell will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia, Illinois with Father Steven Pautler and Father David Darin officiating. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Centralia, Illinois. As a result of current national health circumstances, friends are invited to join with Mrs. Merrell’s family via Live Stream on the St. Mary Catholic Church’s Facebook page at 12:00 P.M. on Monday, October 26, 2020. Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Merrell, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. on Monday, October 26, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia, Illinois. The family ask those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Merrell’s honor to the St. Mary School in Centralia, Illinois, St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia, Illinois, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mrs. Merrell’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Joan (Lyman) Merrell, please visit our floral store.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
680 Craig Road Suite 300, Saint Louis MO 63141
Web: http://www.stjude.org/
St. Mary Catholic School
424 East Broadway Centralia, Illinois 62801,
Tel: (618) 532-3473
Web: stmarycentralia.org
St. Mary Catholic Church
424 East Broadway, Centralia IL 62801