Obituary of Merle Jean Lyons

Merle Jean Lyons, age 80, of Whitewater, WI passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2015 with her family by her side. Merle was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 4, 1934, the daughter of Edgar and Gladys (Elsesser) Honath. �She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and she taught elementary school in Westchester, Illinois. �After moving to Whitewater, Wisconsin, Merle served as a Day Care Director in Whitewater for many years On June 22, 1957, Merle married Ronald Lyons. Ron preceded her in death on July 23, 2003. Merle was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater, WI and the Whitewater Lioness Club. She enjoyed decorating, ceramics, dancing and volunteering for meals on wheels. She enjoyed entertaining her family and friends in her home. Surviving are: Children: Gary (Lori Ann) Lyons, Darien, WI, Lori (Rick) Lee, Naperville, IL, and Jeffrey Lyons, Morrisville, NC, Grandchildren: William and Samantha Lyons, Barbara and Christopher Bensfield, Asher Lyons, and Veronica Marchan�and her children Scott and Spencer Shenkenberg, and Significant Other: Jerry Wynn, Whitewater, WI. Merle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ronald, and a brother Ed Honath. A Mass of Christian Burial will held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI. Visitation will be from 4-7PM on Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI and after 10AM on Saturday April 25, 2015 at the church until the time of the Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to the Whitewater Lioness Club.