Merle Robert Horwedel

merle horwedel

Merle Robert Horwedel, 88, of Buda, died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020.

Mr. Horwedel was born on October 28, 1932 in Vermont, IL to Bernard and Leona (Aten) Horwedel. He attended college at Western Illinois University in Macomb, then served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954. He completed his studies at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Upon graduation he began his career in education as Ag teacher at Buda High School. Four years later he became the first principal at Western High School in the Buda/Sheffield consolidated district and was a fixture there for many years, also serving as golf coach, assistant football coach, bus driver, and assistant superintendent before retiring in 1990.  

Merle married Ruth Ann Powell on August 11, 1957 in Rushville, IL. She survives along with their two children, Deb Horwedel McCreight of Annandale, MN, and Dan (Jane) Horwedel of Fort Wayne, IN. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kyle and Kevin McCreight, Carrie (Drew) Feipel, and Isaac (Ricci) Horwedel, and three great-grandchildren, Anna, Bennett & Caleb Feipel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Harold, and twin sister, Mary Edith.

Merle loved children, animals, the outdoors, and volunteering in his community. He also had many hobbies. He wrestled in college, played fast-pitch softball way too long, was an avid golfer and hunter, and trained dogs and horses. He was a charter member of the Buda Rescue Unit and Buda Jaycees, served on the fire department and American Legion in Buda, coached and umpired ball teams, taught first aid classes, hunter safety courses, and worked to support wildlife. He was a member of the Buda United Methodist Church until it closed and then Bunker Hill Church in Buda.

He had an influence on many people during his life, and always had a smile and a bit of wisdom to share. He believed in family, community, and helping out wherever and however he could. Merle will be missed, but he lived life well and full.

Due to precautions regarding the coronavirus pandemic, private funeral services will be held with military rights in Vermont, IL, with his brother-in-law Morris McClelland officiating.

Memorials or donations may be made to Bunker Hill Church or the Buda American Legion. Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.

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  1. Ruth Ann and family,
    So sorry to hear of the passing of Merle. I always enjoyed our conversations through the years about sports or history. It was always good to see him at Western or BV activities and especially his support and attendence at our Veterans Day Ceremony each year. He was a huge supporter of kids and a life long educator and we will all miss him. Thoughts and prayers to all of you

  2. Deb, Kyle, Kevin & family. We are SO sorry for your loss. We never are willing to lose those very special loved ones in our lives. Just keep remembering the special, happy times when you were all together. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Take care & love you.

  3. Merle was a sweet man. He and my husband Maurice were neighbors as youngsters in rural Vermont. My sympathies to all the Horwedel family.

  4. I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Merle , I knew Merle at Hidden Lake Golf Course. He love to play , and he played several time a week. Merle was a great guy and he will be missed.

  5. Ruth Ann, Deb and Dan: I was so sorry to read about the passing of Merle. Besides my parents, he was one of the most influential people I have known. Of course, I didn’t realize it until well after I left Western High School. One of the more humbling experiences I had was when he became our golf coach in my junior year. He came to me a handful of times and asked my thoughts on what we should do for practice! No teacher, coach or administrator ever asked me anything like that. It made me feel pretty proud that SOMEBODY would ask my opinion and even more that it was our high school Principal! I am especially sad that I didn’t get to personally thank him. I am proud to have known him.

  6. Ruth Ann…
    Lori and I were very saddened to hear of Merle’s passing. He was a wonderful/giving man and we are blessed to have the opportunity to know him as we are blessed to know you too! Please know that we pray for Merle and you as you celebrate his life. He will be missed.
    With love and prayer,
    Brian, Lori, Christy and Olivia Joehl

  7. I was very sad to learn of Merle’s passing. I will always have fond memories of working with Merle at the ROE and playing golf with him at Hidden Lake. He was a lucky man to have had you Ruth Ann as his lifelong partner.

  8. My father always enjoyed time with Merle. He loved hunting and gun talk. I was very fortunate to attend Western High and have a great role model who I respected as our principal. To Ruth Ann and family my sincere sympathy..

  9. I was a student under Mr. Horwedel 1973-1977. (Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to call him Merle.) My memories of him are all good. He worked tirelessly to give us a great education, and led by example . Looking back on those years, the main thing I will remember about Mr. Horwedel is that he loved his work and truly enjoyed interacting with the students under his watch . At the end of the day, in spite of the countless trials and annoyances we undoubtedly put him through, he liked us! He cared.

    He was a good and great man. We are all blessed to have had him as our principal.

    My condolences to all the Horwedel family.

    Jason Ringenberg, Proud member of the Western High School Class of 1977

  10. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. He was always a person willing to teach, help, and encourage. He will be missed.


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