Merlin Leonard Severe

     Merlin Leonard “Tukie” Severe, 84, of Hopewell, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was born in Shelby County, Illinois.

     Tukie was preceded in death by his parents, Orlan and Waneta Severe, and one son, Mark Allen Severe. 

     He leaves behind his loving family: wife, Joanne Severe; two sons, Leonard Ray Severe and Thomas Allen (Teresa) Severe of Florida; daughter, Diana Lynne Kopp of Decatur, Illinois; five children; four great grandchildren; and four step-great grandchildren.

     Tukie also says goodbye to two brothers: Dean (Sandra) Severe of Decatur, Illinois and Melvin Severe of Sierra Vista, Arizona; two sisters: Lucille Knapp of Oakley, Illinois and Irene (Bill) Kemper of Greenup, Illinois; many nieces and nephews; a wonderful church family; and numerous friends and neighbors.

     He was a member of South Cross Roads Church in Hopewell, Arkansas since in retirement in 1991, during which time he served twelve years on the church board. Tukie was a Korean War Veteran serving in the U.S. Army as a tank operator. He retired from the Decatur Park District in Decatur, Illinois after thirty-six years. He was the Greens Superintendant of Scovill Gold Course for twenty-four years. He was a member of National and Central Illinois Greenskeepers Association and the Turf Foundation.

     Memorials may be made in Tukie's honor to South Crossroads Church, South Crossroads Church Cemetery, or the Rose Bud Library.

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