Merle Law

Merle Law, age 89, of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Savanna. Burial will follow in the Spring Lake Cemetery, Savanna. Visitation will be held from 4:00–8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 13, 2019 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna and from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., prior to the service at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Merle’s memory.

Merle was born December 11, 1929 on the family farm in Woodland Township to Lloyd Sr., and Louise (Getz) Law. He attended Savanna High School, graduating with the Class of 1947. Merle met his future wife, Florence Siedenburg at a country youth dance. On October 18, 1953, Merle married Florence in Savanna. Together they raised three children and celebrated 58 years of marriage until Florence’s death in 2011. After marrying Florence, Merle was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Korean War.

Merle farmed his whole life, and enjoyed farming with Florence. They worked well together. His favorite part of farming was the harvest, and even participated in 2018. He also worked in construction for 20 years as Merle Law Construction, building homes and roofing, he would tackle just about anything. Merle and Florence loved dancing, playing cards, and was a member of a 500 card club with friends for almost 50 years. After Florence passed, he continued to travel and go dancing with friends.

He enjoyed cutting wood, to heat his home and took pride in his antique Farmall Tractor. Merle was a long-time member of the Savanna First United Methodist Church. He volunteered his time and construction skills working for UMCOR in Baldwin, Louisiana. He was a member of the Savanna American Legion and the Savanna Moose Lodge.

Merle will be dearly missed by his daughter, Cindy Law of Savanna; two sons, Kevin (Lori) Law of Savanna and Scott (Patty Martin) Law of Savanna; two grandchildren, Thomas Sisson and Emily (Dylan) Smith; three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Gage and Remy Smith; one brother, Vernon (Thelma) Law of Savanna; a sister-in-law, Eva Law; one brother-in-law, Donald Siedenburg; several nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Merle is preceded in death by his wife, Florence; a daughter at birth, Roxanne; two brothers, Lloyd (Margaret) Law and Donald Law; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Swenson and Eleanor Siedenburg; and his parents.