Lewis, Myrelin

Myrelin Terry "Lou" Lewis, 81, of New Baden, died Saturday, November 6, 2010 at his home. He was born October 18, 1929 in Inman, VA, son of Alfred and Polly (Shepherd) Lewis, Sr. He married Miyoko Maruyama on June 1, 1959 in Tokyo and she preceded him in death on March 3, 1971. He is survived by two daughters, Joni (Dwayne) Peters of Sparta, IL and Wilma Jean (Duane) Fischer of Lebanon, IL; seven grandchildren, Jenny (Ron) Lueth, Garret (Angie) Peters, Jolene (Donnie) Langwith, Mark Peters, Darren Peters, Kristal (B.G.) Lewis and Brandon Fischer; six great grandchildren, Christopher, Courtney, Zachary, Cienna, Katelyn, and Caleb; a brother, "Buddy" (Donna) Lewis of Jacksonville, FL; two sisters, Joyce (Ben) Hann of Jacksonville, FL and Glenda Newman of Eaton, OH; sisters-in-law, Nadine Lewis of Eaton, OH, Beulah Lewis of Oxford, OH, and a brother-in-law, Pat Allred of Economy, IN. In addition to his wife and his parents he was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Hershel Lewis, Wilma Edgar, Alfred "AD" Lewis, Jr., Buford Lewis, Darold Lewis, Brenda Allred, and Rebecca Lewis; sisters-in-law, Linnie Edgar, Jeanette Lewis, Sue Lewis; and a brother-in-law, Herbert Newman. Mr. Lewis was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force as a TSgt. and then was a mail carrier for the Belleville Post Office. He was a member of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden. Lou enjoyed shooting pool and reading. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden with Pastor Fred Kraemer officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Greenmount Cemetery in New Baden. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, November 8, 2010 and from 9 a.m. until time of service Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. The American Legion will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Gateway MS Society at 1867 Lackland Hill Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63146 or to Our M.O.M., Inc., (Melanoma Research Fund) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation, 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110 or will be received at the funeral home.