Merle Robert Wolters Obituary (1913 - 2016)

Merle Robert Wolters, 102, of Pana, died Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 2:30 a.m. in Heritage Health-Pana. He was born October 8, 1913 at his home in Section 12, Greenwood Township, Christian County, son of Robert and Ida Arkebauer Wolters. He attended Sassafras Grade School, then lived with his aunt during the week and returned to the farm on weekends in order to graduate from Nokomis High School, 1932. He married Cora Genevieve McAfee (of Rosamond) on September 14, 1940; they were married 65 years before her death in 2005. Merle began his lifelong farming career using horses. He was a founding member and first president of the Christian County Pork Producers Association; awarded Superior Pork Producer for 1966-1967, by the Illinois Pork Producers Association; member and former director of Christian County Farm Bureau, on Legislative Committee, and participated in the Farmers to Washington in 1968; member of Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District; former commissioner of Pana-Assumption Unit Drainage District, 1998-2010; Board member of Mid Illinois Grain Cooperative; fifty year member of Lincoln Farm Business Farm Management; and Lions Club, Pana for 34 years. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pana; serving on numerous committees: chairman and trustee of Administrative Board, president of Methodist Men, and helped in laying the cornerstone of the church in 1972. He also enjoyed playing cards, round and square dancing, and playing golf with "Pana Golden Oldies". Merle is survived by children: Joyce Merlene Placek husband Bob, Athens, GA; Alice Eileen Boliek husband Michael, Decatur, IL; Donald Robert Wolters wife Tamala, Springfield, IL; 5 grandchildren: Roberta (Preston, Jr.) Wilson, Covington, GA; Stephanie (Keith) Woods, Woodstock, GA; Nicole (CJ) McClanahan, Fishers, IN; Rustin W. Boliek, Indianapolis, IN; Nathaniel R. Wolters, Springfield, IL. 6 great grandchildren: Cora (Wilson) Chenault, Atlanta, GA; Preston Wilson III, Covington, GA; Lydia and Madeleine Wood, Woodstock, GA; and Ian and Corinne McClanahan, Fishers, IN. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by infant son: Earl Lee Wolters and sister, Vernita E. Wolters. Funeral Information Funeral services will be Friday, June 10, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, Pana at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Stephen Palmer officiating. Burial will be in Rosemond Grove Cemetery, Rosamond. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana.