Merle Glick passed away on Friday November 7. Merle was a long time supporter of Bishop Hill and the BHHA, with a fondness for the art of Olof Krans. It was due to his efforts that the latest Olof Krans book was published. His obituary is given below. Merle will be sorely missed by all who knew him!
Merle Herman Glick, 90, of Pekin, passed away at 10:15 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2014, at his home.
He was born June 29, 1924, in rural Havana to Herman A. and Caroline (Strube) Glick.
He married Barbara Jane Sinclair on February 25, 1945, at Pontiac, Illinois. She survives.
Also surviving, daughters, Claudie (Stephen) Huey, Pekin; Laurie (Kenneth) Klopfenstein, Peoria; son, Jeffrey (Patti) Glick, Cupertino, Ca; four grandchildren, Greg (Maegan) Knapp, Carrie Knapp, Kevin Glick, and Stephanie Glick. Also surviving are his daughter-in-law, Nancy Glick of Havana, his brother-in-law, Warner Krause of Northville, MI, and niece Mary (John) Cast of Belleville, MI.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, James, son John Glick and sister Jo Ann Krause.
Merle graduated from Havana High School in 1942 and then received his BA from Knox College and his MBA from Harvard University.
He served as an Ensign in the United States Navy during WW II from 1943-1946. He was the supply and disbursing officer while assigned to the USS Oak Hill #7 in the Pacific Theater.
He began employment in 1947 with Caterpillar Inc., last working as Compensation Manager until his retirement in 1985.
Merle was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pekin since 1947, serving many offices. He served the Central Illinois District – Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Board as treasurer. He was a longtime member of the Lakeview Museum (now Peoria Riverfront Museum) Board of Directors and was named Director Emeritus. He was a member of Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), the American Folk Art Society, Mason County Farm Bureau, Bishop Hill Heritage Association, and the Pekin Country Club. In addition, he served on the Illinois State Museum Society Board, the Peoria Historical Society Board (president for one year), Knox College Alumni Council (Alumni Achievement Award in 1989 and Knox College Service Award in 1996). He was a member of the Dirksen Congressional Center Board, serving as president from 1985-1987 and as acting director,1987-1988. He also served on the Council on Employee Benefits Board (president 1980) and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
Merle will also be remembered for his involvement in numerous church and community responsibilities, his support of the arts, his love for classical, big band, and sacred music, farm management, as the family historian, and an avid folk art collector. Just one week before his death, he was able to attend a reception at Peoria Riverfront Museum celebrating the exhibition of paintings of Bishop Hill folk artist Olof Krans and the publication of the new book about Olof Krans that Merle initiated and coordinated.
Merle’s Memorial Service will be at 10:30 am Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pekin. The Reverend Dr. Rodger P. Abatie will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, November 14, 2014, at Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory in Pekin. Private family inurnment of Merle’s ashes will take place following the Memorial Service.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Food Drive for Christian Civic Outreach in Pekin, Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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