Raymond Merle Dickey age 77 of Metamora passed away Friday August 20, 2010 at Lutheran Hillside Village Health Center in Peoria Heights, Illinois. He was born December 29, 1932 in Beaman, Iowa to Raymond Morris and Hazel P. (Marshall) Dickey. He married Gretta J. Hosp, April 23, 1960. She survives.
Surviving are his daughter Lynne D. (Richard) Schall of Metamora, son Darren R. Dickey of Washington, IL. 2 granddaughters: Emily M. Shall and Nicole L. Shall. 2 nephews: Larry Webber of Indianapolis, IN, Mark Webber of W. Lafayette, IN, and 3 nieces: Cherilyn Webber, N. Vernon, IN, Kathleen (Webber) Reed, of Columbus, IN and Janilyn (Webber) Ford, of Hope, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Doris I. Clark.
Merle was in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 as a communications technician achieving the rank of 1st class petty officer. Graduated from Bradley University in Civil Engineering in 1961. He worked as an engineer for IDOT for 35 years retiring in December 1997. Member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington, IL. He served on trustee boards at several Lutheran Churches that he attended, served 28 years on Metamora Grade School Board and was instrumental in forming the MGS Foundation.
He enjoyed the sports of softball and track in his younger years, then began participating in local races in his 50’s, including the St. Jude run and Steamboat Day races.
Merle loved the outdoors, the setting for most of his work, activities and hobbies. Merle will be remembered by his friends and family with love and respect. He was a man of excellent character, industrious and conscientious, yet not too busy to entertain us with his various talents.
Funeral services will at 2:00pm Monday Aug. 23, 2010 at the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington Il. Reverend Thomas Heren officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 12:00pm until service time at the church. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to our Savior Lutheran Church, Lutheran Hillside Village Health Center, and Alzheimers Association Central Il. Chapter.