Merle Ivan Schaal, age 85, of St. Peter, Illinois passed away at 9:28 a.m. Sunday, August 25, 2019, at his residence in St. Peter, Illinois.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2019 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Illinois. Military rites will be observed.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Illinois.

Merle was born on August 25, 1934 in St. Peter, Illinois, the son of Edward and Linda (Knecht) Schaal. He married Doris Guinn on October 18, 1953 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Illinois.

Merle was a cabinet maker, a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and St. Peter American Legion. He was a veteran, having served in the United State Army. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his three daughters, Cheryl Hollowell (husband Argus) of Farina, Illinois, Christine Halterman (husband Randy) of St. Peter, Illinois, Dena Greenwood (husband Michael) of Farina, Illinois; one brother, Lavern Schaal of Mattoon, Illinois; two sisters, Lorraine Sasse of Lincoln, Illinois and Phyllis Lynch (husband Jerry) of Arroyo Grande, California; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Schaal; parents, Edward and Linda Schaal; two brothers, Leon Schaal and Marvin Schaal.