Merle "John" Atherton

Merle E. “John” Atherton Jr., age 80, of Thomson, Illinois died Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Alverno in Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service and burial will take place in Lower York Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson. A memorial fund has been established in John’s memory.
John was born June 23, 1934 the son of Merle and Ihla (Jones) Atherton Sr. in Savanna, Illinois. He attended Thomson High School. John married Barbara Forry on August 7, 1954. He later married Viletta Temple on July 1, 1984. John owned and operated Atherton Service in Thomson for thirty-one years, until his retirement in 2000.
John was a member of the United Methodist Church in Thomson. He enjoyed trucking, traveling, wintering in Arizona, yard work, chocolates, shooting pool, helping his buddy John Reader with maintenance, watching the Chicago Cubs, the History and Military Channels. John made sure he had a bigger T.V. than his buddy Harold. He was always happy when he had the love of his dog, Tess and grand dogs, Daisy, Lucy, and Milo around. John cherished the time he spent with his family and friends at his house.
John is survived by his children, Stephen (Becky) Atherton of Thomson, Randy (Brenda) Atherton of Thomson, Cynthia (Randy) McGinnis of Clinton; step-daughter, Cynthia Temple of Davenport, Iowa; step-son, James (Lynne) Temple of Ringgold, Georgia; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert (Margo) Atherton of Morrison, Illinois, Richard (Beverly) Atherton of Thomson, Larry (Joan) Atherton of Thomson and his beloved dog, Tess. John is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Viletta M. Atherton.