MERLE R. "BUD" LIGHTLE

Mr. Merle R. "Bud" Lightle Sr., 82, of Payson, died at 8:36 p.m. Tuesday (April 10, 2007) in Blessing Hospital.

Born March 19, 1925 in Plainville, Illinois, Merle was the son of Raymond and Georgia Hull Lightle. He married Eleanore Kelley on April 26, 1947 in Quincy. Mr. & Mrs. Lightle would have celebrated their 60th Anniversary on April 26, 2007.

A 1943 graduate of Seymour High School in Payson, Merle joined the Army Air Corps following his graduation. He served as a crew chief on B-17 Bombers stationed at Newcastle, Northern Ireland. He later served in France as a Staff Sergeant and helped his Commanding Officer establish the Strategic Air Command in Europe. He was awarded four over seas bars, the European-African Middle Eastern medal, World War II Victory Medal and two Bronze Stars.

Merle was a member of the Labor Local 919 of Jacksonville, Illinois for over 55 years and was a lifetime member of the AFL-CIO Labor Union.

Survivors include his wife Eleanore; three daughters, Pamela Kimlinger and her husband Melvin of Lompoc, CA., Nancy Peebles and her husband Richard of Pittsfield, IL. and Sally Colleen Lightle of Payson, IL.; a son, Merle R. "Randy" Lightle and his wife Vickie of Atlanta, GA.; eight grandchildren, Todd Peebles and his wife Jessica, Jonathan Peebles, Beth Peebles, Julie Lightle, Jenifer Lightle, Kelley Kimlinger, Bill Kimlinger and his wife Deanna and Brian Kimlinger and his wife Jennifer; four great grandchildren, Cole Wagy, Ashleigh Kimlinger, Brittany Kimlinger and Madalyn Kimlinger; a brother, John Lightle of Quincy; two sisters, Mabel Thomas of Kinderhook, IL. and Peggy Thomas of Barry, IL.; and many loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Lightle was a devoted husband and father and loved the time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mr. Lightle was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Payson by the Rev. Dean Collings. Burial with Military Honors by Payson VFW Post 2061 will be in the Payson New Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 and Saturday until the time of services at the funeral home in Payson.

Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels.