Obituary - J Merle Clendenny

J. Merle "J. M." Clendenny, 96, of Pleasant Hill, died May 9, 2003, at the Pleasant Hill Nursing Center.

He was born Aug. 25, 1906, at Mozier to Carrie Edward and Cecelia Assunta Pontero Clendenny.

He married Eva Daniel May 4, 1929, in Pleasant Hill. She died December 26, 1998.

Survivors are two sons: Gary Clendenny (wife Jeannette) of Jerseyville and Gordon Clendenny (wife Marie) of rural Nebo; five grandchildren, Judy Fuhler of Pleasant Hill, Michael Clendenny of rural Nebo, Christopher Clendenny of Kampsville, Katrina Wellman of Quincy, Jay N. Clendenny of Kansas City, Mo.; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Geneva Schleeper of Pleasant Hill and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by seven brothers, L.A., Otis, Gilbert, Harry, Franklin, Lewis and Leo Clendenny and four sisters, Edith Clendenny, Jeanette Daniels, Carlene Capps and Celia Ottwell.

Mr. Clendenny was a member of the Pleasant Hill Masonic Lodge #565 AF & AM for more than 75 years and had been active with the Pleasant Hill Lions Club for many years. He was one of the original school board members for the Pleasant Hill School district, and helped in establishing the unit's boundary lines in Pike and Calhoun Counties. He was a life-long Calhoun County farmer and was a member of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau serving on its board of directors. He was a member of the Illinois Agricultural Association, the National Angus Association and served on the Pike County Fair Board. He was well-known for his baseball playing abilities in his younger years, playing for many amateur teams in the area, most notably the Nebo Colts in the mid 1920's. He was a former board member of the Crescent Heights Cemetery Association, was an avid genealogist, and a noted local historian. He was a staunch member of the Republican Party and enjoyed traveling and "jugging" for fish on the river.
Funeral service was May 12, 2003, at the Ward-Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill with Rev. Paul White officiating. Burial was in Crescent Heights Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Pallbearers were Jay Clendenny, Mike Clendenny, Chris Clendenny, David Fuhler, David Wellman, Matt Fuhler and Nathan Fuhler.

Submitted by Bill Browning