Elmer L. Mekley Sr.

Elmer L. Mekley Sr., 84, of rural Granville passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021 at Henry Rehab and Nursing Center, Henry.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville.  Pastor Karen Karczewski will officiate.  Burial will be in Granville Cemetery, Granville.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville.  Due to the pandemic, face masks and social distancing will be encouraged.

Elmer was born on January 20, 1937 at their family farm in McNabb to John and Mayme (Harseim) Mekley.  He married Donna Romagnoli on July 11, 1958 in Magnolia.

He graduated from John Swaney High School.  Elmer was a self employed farmer and loved farming.  He had many fruit trees and loved canning fruits and vegetables with his wife Donna.  He was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed going duck hunting and deer hunting.  Elmer raised and showed ducks “Call Ducks” and would have about 300 to 400 a year that he raised.  He received the Grand Champion Waterfowl award at the Illinois State Fair along with other numerous awards.

He enjoyed having his kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and also his dog “Dolly” around and he was loved by his wife of 64 years.

Survivors include his wife, Donna of Granville; one son, Elmer “Junior” Mekley of Granville; two daughters, Vicki (Jack) Bima of McNabb and Shelli (Jack) Cremin of Frankfort and Mark; one sister, Gladys (Jim) King of McNabb; four sisters-in-law, Elaine (Larry) Castelli of Spring Valley, Diane (George) Baker of Granville, Sheryl (the late Wayne) Romagnoli of Ladd and Darlene (the late Gene) Mekley of McNabb; one brother-in-law, Andy (Geri) Romagnoli of Granville; three grandchildren two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John Mekley and Gene “Butch” Mekley; three sisters, Irene Kuhne, Nora Lee Sipe and Dorothy Johnson; one daughter-in-law, Donna Sue Mekley.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Putnam County Ambulance Service.

Pallbearers will be Jack Bima, Jack Cremin, Jeremy Beck, David Mennie, Alex Bradish, Jerry Mekley, Jeff Mekley and Andy Romagnoli.  Honorary Pallbearer will be Jim King.

Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com

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