Merle Louis Soule, 89, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 9:35 pm December 16, 2020 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Soule served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. He was Hospital Chief Corpsman. Some of the awards and medals that Merle earned during his career in the Navy include: five Good Conduct Medals, two Nation Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal 2/1960’s device. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed.
A Graveside Service will be held Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 1:30 pm at Hopewell Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Pastor David Houseworth officiating. Full Military Rites will be held at the cemetery. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Soule family in care of Duane Soule. Donations will be used to buy Christmas gifts for needy children. Please remember to observe social distancing at this time. We are limited to 10 people under the tent at one time. Following the CDC and NFDA regulations, we encourage everyone to wear a mask. They will be made available, upon request. Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
Merle is survived by his children, Mark Soule and Norisa King; Tim Soule and wife, Kristy; Ed Soule and wife, Christi; Duane Soule and wife, Kendra; Chris Soule; Jerry Soule and girlfriend, Bett; James Shelby and wife, Jill; Sandy Soule and wife, Robin; Sherry Stapleford and husband, David; Sarah Graham and husband, Matt; Rita Cornett and husband, Kevin; Robin Bethard and husband, Wendell; Gwen Allen and fiancé, Ryan Minor; Kellie Firley and husband, Mike; Gina Jenkins and husband, Clint; forty-one grandchildren; fifty-five great-grandchildren; siblings, Sue Thole, Joan Talkington, Thedda Olson, Sharon Urton and husband, Earl; Gilbert “Jerry” Soule and wife, Marilyn; Karen Nordmeyer and husband, John; Dick Soule and wife, Patricia; sister-in-law, Kay Soule; and brother-in-law, Sandy Sellers.
He was born September 10, 1931 in Opie, Kansas to the late Freeman Wilber and Sarah Emma (Cronk) Soule. In 1954 Merle was united in marriage to Margaret Smith in Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina. The marriage ended in divorce. Merle married Marie Smoak on November 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia. They were blessed with nearly thirty-two years before she preceded him in death on June 12, 2003. In addition to his parents and wife, Merle was preceded in death by his sisters, Bertha Erickson, Betty Uhl, Eleanor Jacoby, Phyllis Enos, Carol Soule, Sandra Soule, Florence Sellers, and brother, William “Bill” Soule.
