Merle Clewett

Merle Eugene Clewett, 88, of Aurora, IL, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024. 

Visitation will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, followed by a funeral service at 4:30 p.m., at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL, 60540. 

Private interment in Minnesota to follow.

Merle was born November 21, 1935 to Levi “Len” and Florence Clewett in Staples.

A proud graduate of the University of Minnesota, he received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and met his future wife, Janet, while attending university. After they married, Merle worked as an engineer, and then executive, retiring from his position as Group President of Ingersoll International in Rockford, IL, in 2000. Throughout his career, he traveled the world, often with his family in tow. Moving from Minnesota to Michigan, England, Connecticut and Maryland, and finally settling in their current home in Aurora, to be close to their family. 

Outside of work, Merle had a passion for fishing, taking his children and eventually his grandchildren to Minnesota for annual fishing excursions. He was a loving father, grandfather, uncle and great-uncle, generous with his time and advice, and an avid NYT crossword puzzle solver.

Merle is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janet (nee Shaw), two children Ann Clewett McCarthy (Sean) and Thomas Clewett (Dawn) both of Naperville; four grandchildren, Conor McCarthy, Katherine McCarthy, Sarah Clewett and Rebecca Clewett.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Stanley Clewett. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials sent to the Grace Church Foundation in memory of Merle Clewett would be most appreciated by his family.

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