Merle G Woods

He was born November 8, 1941 in Freeport to Walter and Louella (Herbig) Woods. He married Linda I. Anderson on November 21, 1975 in Michigan City, Indiana. They made their home in Quad Cities, IA for 30 years, moving to Pekin, IL in 2006.

He is survived by this wife; two sons, and four daughters: Brian (Lonnette) Woods of San Diego, CA, Brad Woods of Oklahoma City, OK, Christina Stone of Athens, GA, Sheri Cole of Charlotte, NC, Michelle (Brian) Stearns of Merriam, KS, Barbara Ann (Stu) Peterson of Marion, IA, and Mark Keppy of Chicago, IL who was always like a son; twelve grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren and two sisters, Betty Westendorf of Oelwein, IA and Norma Ohl of Orange City, FL. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Edyth Weeks; his sister-in-law, Virginia (Dale) Ernsberger of Port St. Lucie, FL; a brother-in-law, Earl Weeks (MaryAnn) of Daytona Beach, FL and two sisters-in-law, Jan (Mark) Stevens of Klawock, AK and JoLynn More of Daytona Beach, FL.

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

Merle’s career was in sales and marketing and he has been working for the last 10 years employed by Advantage Sales & Marketing, a national sales and marketing agency based in California. He previously worked for Scotts Company/Miracle-Gro Company for 12 years.

Merle loved people and had a wonderful smile. He had a huge personality and flashy blue eyes. Merle was the family comedian with a caring and gentle heart. He had a love for life, fun, dancing, and family.

Following his laryngectomy and recovery in 1994 he dedicated himself to leading more than a 1,000 school assemblies and classroom talks to caution America’s youth on the effects of smoking through the Quad Cities Anti-Smoking Coalition. He became the mentor to other laryngectomy patients, offering support, encouragement, and hope. In 2006, he was honored with the Community Award by the American Cancer Society in Davenport, IA for his efforts.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2016 at First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin, IL. Pastor Penny Frame and David Taylor will officiate. Family will receive friends at a luncheon reception following the service at the church.

Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to his family.

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