Merlyn C. Loveland

Age 93, of Monroe, died on Sunday, February 18, 2018, at the Monroe Clinic. He was born on July 2, 1924 in Monroe the son of Clarence W. Loveland and Dorothy (Smith) Loveland.

Merlyn attended Loveland School. Following his 8 ^th grade graduation, he farmed full time with his parents on the Loveland Homestead. He and Helen (Elmer) Loveland were married on September 17, 1944 at Zwlingli UCC, Monticello. They celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary before Helen passed away on October 4, 2014.

Merlyn farmed on the Loveland Farm west of Monticello until 1972 and then was employed by PW.Ryan & Sons, as a heavy equipment operator and then later with the Green County Highway Dept until his retirement in 1984.

Merlyn enjoyed bowling, playing cards, going "up North", promoting Wisconsin cheese in Arizona, watching sports especially the Milwaukee Brewers and before that the Milwaukee Braves, Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers, and volunteered with Helen at the Green County Welcome Center.

Merlyn and Helen were "snowbirds" and lived in Apache Junction, AZ during the winter months for many years. He and Helen loved to travel. They had been to 49 states, five Canadian provinces, several countries in Europe and many cruises.

He is survived by his three children, LaVonne Babler-Hawking of Aurora, Il, Marilyn (David Asahina) Wittenwyler, of Garden Grove, CA and William C. Loveland, of Monticello; four grandchildren, Amy Kuberski of Cadiz, KY, Lisa Babler(Bob Perez) of San Ramon, CA, Jill (Dean) Starkey of Queen Creek, AZ and Dan (Kari) Babler of Aurora, IL; nine great-grandchildren, Patrick (Meredith) Johnson, Garrett, Taylor and Tyra Starkey, Trace and Reid Kuberski and Brandon, Jake and Drew Babler; two great-great grandsons, Matthew and Alex Johnson; his sister, Lucille D. Elmer of Monticello; nieces Mary Kay Berry and Carol Neu; and cousins. Preceding him in death were his wife, Helen M. Loveland; and his parents.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe.  Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday, February 24 ^th , from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Merlyn's name to the Monticello Historical Society or Aurora Cosmopolitan Club (a service organization for Diabetes), P.O. Box 351, N Aurora, IL 60542. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net