Merrill Parsons

PEKIN ~ Merrill Miller Parsons, affectionately known as "The Grizz," passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024, in Matthews, North Carolina, at the age of 91. Born on August 20, 1933, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Mark and Agnes Parsons, Merrill's life was a testament to faith, family, and hard work.

Merrill graduated from Iowa State University before earning his master’s degree from Michigan State University. Following his studies and military service, Merrill began his career in pharmaceutical sales at Upjohn. Later, he answered a calling that would define much of his professional legacy: taking over a small foundry operation, Excel Brass, in Pekin. Through his leadership and unwavering faith, Merrill transformed Excel Foundry into a thriving international supplier for the mining industry, ultimately retiring in 2003 after 40 years of dedication and success.

For more than 50 years, Merrill and his beloved wife Carol resided in the Pekin/Peoria area, building a life rooted in faith, family, and community. Their marriage spanned 64 years, until Carol’s passing in 2022. The couple’s deep commitment to their faith led them to worship in a variety of Christian denominations, always centered on their belief in Jesus as Savior and the Bible as the inspired word of God.

Merrill was the loving father of David, Richard, and Doug, with two sons, Daniel and Dale, preceding him in death.

In addition to his family and faith, Merrill found joy in many pursuits. An avid outdoorsman early in life, he enjoyed hunting, swimming, and walking. He was a devoted reader of the Daily Bread and the Wall Street Journal, and he cherished rounds of golf with Carol. His greatest passion, however, was his faith; Merrill devoted himself to Bible studies and to serving the local church, always seeking to deepen his relationship with Jesus.

Merrill’s legacy is one of faith, resilience, and love, leaving a profound impact on all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community, but his memory will live on in the lives he touched and the faith he inspired.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 15, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where visitation will be held one hour before the funeral. A private burial will follow in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to House of Life Support, Mi Casa International, c/o Mike Larson CPA, 5335 Southwest Meadows Road, Suite 355, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com