Merrill E. Pinter

KEWANEE - Merrill E. Pinter, 78, of Kewanee, IL, died Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL surrounded by his family after a very courageous battle with cancer.

Merrill was born in Princeton, IL on March 17, 1945. He was the son of Arnold and Opal (Searl) Pinter of Malden, IL. He married Barbara Hildebrand, daughter of Dale and Katie (Happ) Hildebrand on September 10, 1965. They were high school sweethearts and were married for 45 years. She preceded him in death in February of 2011 after a battle with Leukemia. They raised 4 children in Kewanee, IL.

Survivors include son, Scott (Jennifer) Pinter of Bloomington, IL, daughter, Paula (Mike) Nichols of Kewanee, IL, son, Mark (Erin) Pinter of Chandler, AZ, and son, Brad (Megan) Pinter of Chandler, AZ. Merrill has twelve grandchildren: Tanner, Tucker, Tyler, and Lexi Nichols; Jacob, Joshua and Brianna Pinter; Rex, Landon, and Connor Pinter and Chase and Bryce Pinter, a brother-in-law, Bill (Betty) Linker, sisters-in-law, Teresa (Jim) Jensen, Donna (John) Bouchard, and Betty (Ron) Kastor, an aunt, Joyce Pinter and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Merrill married Jolene Clark on June 17, 2020 after both losing their first spouses to cancer. They had much in common and enjoyed their time together.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother Kent, and sister Betty.

He grew up on a farm in Malden, IL where they raised corn, sheep, cows, and chickens. He attended a one room schoolhouse called Berlin Center until going to Malden High School. He graduated from Malden in 1963 as Valedictorian. After high school Merrill attended The University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and graduated in 1967 with a degree Agricultural Engineering. He was elected into Alpha Epsilon for high scholarship and character relating to the profession of Agricultural Engineering.

Merrill worked as an engineer with Sun Strand, then moved to Hyster for a short time before beginning a 43-year career at Kress Corporation in Brimfield, IL. Merrill retired from Kress in 2016 after holding titles of Chief Engineer, and Vice President. Merrill was frequently asked to consult for Kress even after retirement for his extensive knowledge of the machines that he helped design. He traveled to many countries during his time at Kress.

He was a man of strong faith and member of Saint John Paul II Parish and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed traveling the world, playing cards (Euchre and Solitaire), puzzles, checkers, Monopoly, collecting coins, and was a train enthusiast. He enjoyed country drives and figuring out new routes to get to the same places. Merrill loved watching University of Illinois football and basketball and was proud to have some of his grandchildren graduating from the university and following in his footsteps.

His greatest joy in life was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved attending all their sporting events and would travel many hours to see them play.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 1 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee. Celebrant will be Fr. Chris Haake. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 31 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with recitation of the rosary at 4:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Saint John Paul II Memorial Garden, Visitation Catholic School Foundation, or to the American Cancer Society.

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