Mervyn M. Tripp
Mervyn Tripp, of rural Anna, Illinois, 77 years of age, departed this world mid-morning Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at home and quietly with family after a lengthy and exhausting journey with metastatic prostate cancer.
Merv was born, a twin, on the 20th of February, 1946, to Earl and Sarah Hamel Tripp in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois.
He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1964 and soon after joined the workforce at the Anna State Hospital in Anna, Illinois.
Mervyn fell victim to polio at an early age and spent countless days in an iron lung and God was good and he survived.
He became a member of the Gospel Assembly Church of Anna as a youngster and religiously served his heavenly father and enjoyed every minute with his church family.
Mervyn found his sweetheart in early 1967 and married Brenda Winn on Sept. 1, 1967.
To this union of Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Tripp was born a son, Eric Winn Tripp (Tabitha) of Anna and a daughter, Autumn Winn Tripp (Shawn) of Anna. They survive, along with one sister, Jeanette Crowell (Gerald) of Marion; four grandchildren, Gavin Tripp of Anna, Wyatt Funkhouser of Tempe, Ariz., Ridge Funkhouser of Normal, Ill., and Mikaya Kosie Tripp of Anna; sister-in-law Patricia Tripp of Springville, Ala.; special Aunt and Uncle via marriage, Phyllis and Larry Toler in Northern Illlinois; nieces, a nephew other relatives and friends.
Merv was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Marvin Tripp; his brother, Jim Tripp; a niece, Michele Tripp Robinson; aunts and uncles, cousins and many friends.
Merv took to the country in the county of Union in 1972 and engaged in a little farming operation on the side.
Country life served him well. He was a grain farmer, had cattle, raised hogs and thoroughly enjoyed his farm.
He was talented in every way and quite the fixer upper. He was the right arm to his father-in-law always and helped him farm as well.
Merv retired from Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (Anna State Hospital) in 1999 after 35 years of service. Merv was ready to go “Home” to his heavenly home.
Funeral arrangements will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Pastor Jeff Workman officiating. Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery.
Friends may visit after 1 p.m. and until the service hour at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.