RUTLAND -- Merlon G. Dornbush, 77, of 2912 CR 100N Road, Rutland, passed away at 1:19 a.m. Saturday (July 19, 2008) at his residence.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Minonk. The Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe will officiate. Burial with military rites will be in Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.

Merlon was born June 5, 1931, in Bloomington, a son of George and Edna Grampp Dornbush. He married Monica Blan on Nov. 25, 1956, in Minonk. She preceded him in death on May 27, 2003.

Survivors include his daughter, Myrna (Russ) Haas, Normal; and two grandsons, Ryan and Patrick Haas, both of Normal.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a son, Mark.

He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, and the Woodford County Farm Bureau. He was a lifetime farmer in the Rutland and Minonk area and enjoyed collecting toy tractors, especially International Harvester.

Merlon loved and cherished his family. He truly enjoyed spending time with his grandsons and attending their sporting events.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be directed to the Minonk Ambulance Squad.

Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com .