Merle E. Sickling, age 80, of Mishawaka, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2011 at St. Joseph''s Regional Medical Center. He was born December 26, 1931 in Perks, Illinois, the son of the late Floyd and Flora (McCall) Sickling. Merle served his country when he was recruited to the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police officer. He then moved north, to live out his life in Mishawaka, where he was united in marriage to Francine M. Dewey of Port Huron, Michigan. Merle worked as a bricklayer and later retired form Ziolkowski Construction Inc. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #308 in Osceola as well.

Surviving is his wife Francine and his children, Robert (Luanne) Doan of Granger, David (Martha) Doan of Elkhart, Michael (Christine) Doan of South Bend, Sheryl (Jim) Roberts of Elkhart, Larry (Rachel) Sickling of Granger, Floyd (Renee) Sickling of Osceola, and Mark (Crystal) Sickling of Mishawaka. He is survived as well by his 16 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren, along with his siblings, Floyd (Peggy Jo) Sickling of Niles, MI, George (Linda) Sickling, Violet (Leo) Dexter, and Charlotte (Clayton) Eddleman, all of Perks, IL, Shirley (Clinton) Wright, of S. Elgin, IL, and Sue (Leon) Childers of Hampshire, IL. Preceding him in death was his sister, Mary Louise Jordan, a nephew, Kevin Wright, and his in-laws, Floyd and Beatrice Dewey.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the 11:00 am funeral service on Monday, November 7, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Interment and Military Honors will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Merle enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening, as well as Penn High School and Notre Dame football. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

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