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2023 08/19 – Reverend Merle L. Fullerton

By Bruce Kropp Aug 19, 2022 | 12:55 PM

Reverend Merle L. Fullerton, 86, of Mount Vernon, Illinois passed away at 11:14 am August 14, 2023, at his residence.

He was born May 28, 1937, to the late Arthur and Beulah (Campbell) Fullerton. Merle married Beverly Lisenby on September 6, 1959, in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

In addition to his beloved wife Beverly, Merle is survived by his sons, Lendell Fullerton and wife, Carla of Salem, Illinois, Glendell Fullerton of Fairfield, Illinois; daughters, Daphna Cooley and husband Tim and LaVonda Irwin of Brentwood, Tennessee; brother, Morris Fullerton and wife Sharon of Walnut Hill, Illinois; sisters, Phyllis Foster and husband John of Centralia, Illinois, Elaine Miller of Mount Vernon, Illinois and Dorris McMullen and husband Steve of Mount Vernon, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren, Ambra Pratt, Janna (Craig) Garton, Christina Lewis, Malea (Bobby) Byran, Sara (Taylor) Crawford, Lisa Riley, Ryne (Kathy) Fullerton, Britt (Hannah) Fullerton, Whitley Clark, Dylan (Hayley) Fullerton, Christian Fullerton, Derek Fullerton, Holli (Justin) Revelo, Catherine Fullerton, Cassie Fullerton.

Merle was preceded in death by his loving parents and by a great-granddaughter, Hope Fullerton.

Merle received Jesus as his personal Savior when he was about 14 and was baptized on January 17, 1954, at First Baptist Church in Woodlawn. He surrendered to a call to full-time Christian service on March 31, 1957, also at First Baptist Church in Woodlawn. He never stopped serving, equally using his God-given gifts in sharing the gospel in sermons and music. Merle served as Pastor at several Baptist churches throughout the years as well as officiating thousands of funeral services. He was uniquely gifted at making people feel very loved and special at any type of gathering, whether it be Sunday morning church service, revival, wedding or a funeral. He knew people and their families, their personal stories and had a very personal touch at weaving these things into his sermons. In addition to his work as a Pastor, he has been active in promoting Gospel concerts throughout Southern Illinois. Just some of the groups he has helped bring to the area include The Kingsmen, The Florida Boys, Gold City, The Cathedrals, and The Rex Nelon Singers. One of the highlights of Merle’s ministry was the recording of Kingsmen “Live Naturally” at Mt. Vernon Township High School 41 years ago. Merle served as the Master of Ceremonies to a packed house. He started his WMIX radio ministry in 1972 with a program called “Gospel Quartet Time”. The program name was changed about two years later to “The Ole Time Gospel Singing.” That program aired for many years on WMIX. On March 25, 2023, Merle was honored with a “Tribute to the Life and Ministry of Merle Fullerton.” To a packed house, Merle was defined as “a living legend in Mt. Vernon and in the Southern Gospel world.” Merle touched countless lives throughout this area and his legacy of ministry and serving will live on. His family expresses gratitude for all the many kind words and expressions of sympathy during this time.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 1:30 pm at Logan Street Baptist Church with Reverend T.J.Howard and Reverend Ryne Fullerton officiating. Interment will follow at Harmony Cemetery northeast of Mt. Vernon. Memorial contributions in Merle’s honor can be made to the Harmony Cemetery and will be accepted at the Hughey Funeral Home at any time.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.