Orville E. "Scoop" Merry (83) of Effingham

Orville E. "Scoop" Merry, 83 of Effingham, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with burial in Oakridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to time of service, Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be given to the Effingham County IL Humane Society. 

Scoop was born June 9, 1940, the son of Laban & Gail Merry. He married Jean Alice Allegree on August 6, 1961 and she preceded him in death in 2022. Scoop graduated from Dieterich High School, attended Lakeland College, and then the University of Illinois. He was employed as an Effingham City Police Officer for over 30 years, retiring in 1996, but continued to work part time for another 14 years. 

Scoop and his wife owned and managed the Taco Rail, which they built and started in 1979 and retired from that also in 1996. He was a member of the Effingham Elks Lodge for many years, a member of Fraternal Order of Police, and belonged to the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He will surely be missed by all who came in contact with him and his spontaneous laughter. Survivors include son, Neal (Sheri) of Carthage; grandchildren, Trisha (Jared) Himmel of Troy, MO and Dalton (Emily) Merry of Cabot, AR; step-great-grandchildren, Bentley and Payton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife and son, Chad Evan.