Elmer “Merl” Wilhelm, 75 of Springfield, Mo., passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Merl was born July 14, 1934, in Sullivan, Ill., to George and Iva Wilhelm, who preceded him in death. He was baptized in the Church of Christ at an early age and spent his childhood in the Sullivan area. He graduated from Arthur High School and then served in the United States Air Force for four years. Merl met Ethel Mae Richmond at a church youth retreat in Illinois and they were later married in Nixa, Mo., on October 22, 1960. Surviving are four children, daughter, Lori Johnson (Paul Thompson), sons, Eric, Curtis (Shelia), and Tony Cowley (Debbie Ehbrecht); seven grandchildren, Dustin Johnson (Brittany), Rebecca Ballentine (Richy), Shawn and Alaina Wilhelm of St. Cloud, Fla., Sydney, Kyah and Chase Wilhelm of Battlefield, Mo.; two great-grandchildren, Jude Johnson and Emma Ballentine of Springfield, Mo.; brothers, Dennis and Charles of Decatur, Ill., and James of Peoria, Ill. He is also survived by hundreds of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and one sister, Ray of Sullivan, Ill., Carl, Arnold, Leonard of Decatur, Ill., Edgar of Newport News, Va., Lloyd and Gene of Sullivan, Ill., Albert of Lovington, Ill., George and Duane of Tuscola, Ill., Beverly Maddox of Decatur, Ill. Merl was employed by City Utilities Water Department, retiring after 39 years. He was honored for 45 years of service with the City Utilities Employees Credit Union and served 45 years with the Local Labor Union 663. He was a member of East Sunshine Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon for several years. He enjoyed his family and time spent with them, this included many years as a foster parent to some 50 plus children. Merl loved being Santa Claus for numerous charities and Christmas parties each year. He was involved with high school wrestling and a umpire for baseball when his sons were growing up. He loved to get together for homemade ice cream, taco suppers and fish frys. If family and food was involved, he was at his happiest. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 9, 2010, in Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole, with Mike Brazle officiating. Interment will follow in Selmore Cemetery (South of Ozark). Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fair Haven Children’s Home or a charity of the donors choice.