MENDOTA - Merle E. Hamer, 67, of Mendota, passed away July 1, 2021 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10 at the Hurst Funeral Home in Ladd with Rev. Karen Karczewski, Pastor of Cherry United Church of Christ officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. until time of services on Saturday.

Merle was born Oct. 11, 1953 in Mendota to Gerald and Evelyn (Croisant) Hamer. He married Gloria Croisant on June 23, 1984.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Chris (Karen) Hamer; his step-mother, Linda Hamer; three half-brothers, Brent (Janice) Hamer, Darryl (Laura) Hamer and Todd (Kelly Quesse) Hamer; five grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Merle enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an auto mechanic for many years and then worked at Midwest Fuel Injection in Peru. He would lend a helping hand to anyone.

Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.