Merl F. Holderman, age 87, a resident of Naperville, IL, died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 5, 2012. He was born July 20, 1924 in Goshen, Indiana to Clarence and Chloe Holderman.

Merl graduated high school in Goshen in 1942 and then joined the US Army. He served under General Patton in Europe as a medic during WWII. He married Eloise Stump, his high school sweetheart on June 9, 1946. Merl worked as the business manager at Bethel College in Mishwauka, IN. In the late 1950's, Merl worked as a traveling salesman and moved his family to Wheaton, IL. In 1988 they moved to Michigan and wintered in Florida, where they eventually moved permanently. Recently they returned to live in IL.

He was a pilot and loved to fly. In retirement he enjoyed flying model planes. He enjoyed working with his hands and making things. He liked fishing and golf. For many years he bowled with the church league. While living in Wheaton he was a member of the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eloise M. Holderman, three children, Sherril (John) Deck of Roseburg, OR, Susan (Allen, Jr.) Edwards of Carol Stream, IL, Stephen (Evelyn) Holderman of Chaska, MN, 10 Grandchildren and 8 Great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his three brothers and his parents.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton where a funeral will be held on Friday, February 10, at 10:30 A.M. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church Mission's Fund, 520 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.