Merle Jay Sears

Merle Sears, 91 of rural Tiskilwa went to his heavenly home on January 30, 2026.  His beloved wife and family were at his bedside giving loving messages and peace to him up until his death. He was born on January 10, 1935 to Harvey and Dina (Camp) Sears.  Merle and his brothers, Duane, Wilmer, Bob and his twin Earl attended Metamora Mennonite church and Washington schools.

Merle was a spiritual man who had a firm foundation rooted in his faith.  He participated in Mennonite activities throughout his life. He served two years in 1W at Goshen College. He coordinated Mennonite disaster service, was active with church boys clubs, and sponsored open gym at THS for community youth. He served at Covenant Children’s home and enjoyed counseling the boys and welcomed numerous children into their home. He had compassion and concern for everyone he encountered in his lifetime.

Merle loved playing basketball. He attended a church tournament at Hesston college every winter and met his wife, Loretta Joy Kauffman there. They married on December 6, 1958 at Hesston, Kansas. They lived on a farm in Washington, IL for three years and then moved to their Tiskilwa farm where they lived together for 64 years.  They celebrated their 67^th wedding anniversary on December 6^th, 2025.

To this union seven children were born. They were delighted getting six sons Lonnie, Craig, Jeff, Todd, Chad, and Matt and finally a delightful daughter, Kim.  A foster child, Pat Gregory, blessed our home for seven years. We enjoyed having a foreign exchange student, Mattia, from Italy for his senior year at Tiskilwa high school.

Merle enjoyed working on the farm with his sons, growing corn, and soybeans and taking care of livestock. He was very involved with taking the kids to 4H and showing animals at the Bureau County, 4H, and state fairs every year.

His kids were all active in sports at Tiskilwa and Merle enjoyed attending all the sporting events and cheering on the Tiskilwa Indians.

Merle enjoyed yearly vacations to Little Eden Camp in Onekama, MI every summer for the past 60 years with all his family.

Merle is preceded in death by his parents, all his brothers, and one son, Lonnie.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta, daughter-in-law, Sandi in Indiana, Craig (Leane) Sears in South Carolina, Jeff (Jan) Sears in Missouri, Todd (Sherri) Sears in Tiskilwa, Chad (Kristin) Sears in Indiana, Matt (Joy) Kauffman in Colorado and Kim in Illinois. 19 grandkids, 2 great grandkids and one more expected in May 2026.

Merle and the entire family have been grateful for the wonderful caregiving that was provided by Teri Abbott and Tina Swank.  The family has been so thankful for the support and prayers by so many the last year.

Memorials can be sent to Willow Springs Mennonite Church in Tiskilwa, Hesston College Nursing Program in Hesston, KS and Goshen College in Goshen, IN.

A memorial will be planned for a later date.