Merle Bach

Merle E. Bach, age 85, of rural Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2015, at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital in Lawrenceville. He was born February 9, 1930, in Lawrence County, Illinois, the son of George E. and Ida Irene (Haines) Bach. He married Charlene Moore on September 26, 1964, and she survives. Merle was a lifelong farmer who also drove a school bus for Unit #20 School District. He was a lifetime member of Pleasant Ridge Christian Church and was very active in the church, having served as Deacon and participating in the church singing group. Merle was a veteran with the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean War. Preceding Merle in death were his parents; two brothers, George Bach and Charles Melvin Bach and two sisters, MayBelle Roberts and Wanda Bach. Survivors include his wife, Charlene of rural Lawrenceville; two sons, Michael Bach and wife Ginny of Tampa, Florida and, Ronald Stevenson and wife Gina of rural Lawrenceville; three daughters, Nicki Carter Stevenson of Lawrenceville, Terri Carr of Macon, Illinois and Janis Coffman of Texas; one brother, Richard Bach of rural Lawrenceville; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with two on the way. Funeral services will be at 2 PM Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12 Noon until the service hour of 2 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lawrenceville City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Ridge Christian Church with envelopes available through the funeral home.