Merl L. Henderson

Merl L. Henderson, 79, of 1109 South Fifth St., died at 2:36 PM Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Pekin Hospital. He was born March 19, 1928, to Emery Roy and Kathleen Grace (Kellogg) Henderson on the family farm near Greenup, Illinois.He married Linda Bishop March 31, 1956, in Martinsville, Illinois. Surviving are; his wife, one daughter, Peggy Broombaugh; three sons, George (Carla) Henderson, Greg (Marla) Henderson and Don Henderson, all of Pekin; one brother, Euris (Virginia) Henderson of Greenup, Illinois; and ten grandchildren, Zachary Rutledge, Christine Henderson, Julie Henderson, Ryan Henderson, Westley Broombaugh, Lauren Henderson, Dylan Broombaugh, Mallory Henderson, Danielle Henderson and Ashlyn Henderson. His parents, two Brothers, Emery and Lee and one Sister, Marjorie preceded him in death. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict attaining the rank of Sergeant. In 1956, Merl graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science.He owned and operated Noel-Henderson Funeral Home in Pekin from 1965 to 1998. Service to others defined Merl Henderson as a man, father, funeral director and friend.Shaped by the loss of his own parents at a young age, he found great satisfaction in comforting the bereaved and through this passion was able to provide for his family. Throughout his life, Merl belonged to many fraternal and community service organizations.One thing was certain- if Merl was involved, he would be leading. Some of his memberships include: St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, Council President from 1975 to 1978. William Schafer Post #44 of the American Legion, Past Commander 1965; Pekin Rotary Club, Past President 1980, Paul Harris Fellow 1993; Empire Lodge 126 AF & AM for 41 years, raised to Master Mason October 11, 1966; Scottish Rite Bodies- Valley of Peoria; Mohammed Temple Shrine; Voiture 1170, 40 et 8, Chef de Gare Passe; St Paul Churchmen's Brotherhood, Chairman and Co-Chair of its annual Pancake and Sausage Supper since 1967; War Veterans Memorial Cemetery Association, Past President and current Vice President; District 8 Funeral Directors, Past President; and Illinois Funeral Directors Association, which honored him in 2007 for 50 years of service. Though Merl had battled Multiple Sclerosis since 1980, through sheer will and determination he maintained his independence and lived on his own terms to the last.He never complained or lamented his physical limitations. He defied them and persevered. Above anything else, Merl loved his grandchildren and he showed it by teasing them relentlessly.