Merle E. Clayton, 74, of Witt, died at 12:18 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon.
Cremation rites will be accorded and inurnment will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family.
Mr. Clayton was born on April 28, 1949, in Hillsboro, to the late Dale and Lavonne (Armentrout) Clayton. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War era, working as an electrician on B52 bombers and was deployed to Japan, the Phillippines and other areas in the Pacific.
He married Debby Wrachford, and they had two sons, Lynn and Byron. They would later divorce. He later married Shirley Grisham, and they had a son, William. She passed away due to cardiac issues, and Mr. Clayton later married Deborah Lucille Heard on Oct. 10, 1989. They would raise two children together, Elizabeth and Jeremy.
He attended Lincoln Land Community College and previously worked at Storm’s Supply in Witt. He had a 22 year career in coal mining, first at the Coffeen mine and later at Rend Lake mine in Sesser. He also worked as a security guard. Mr. Clayton was a skilled carpenter and electrician. On May 12, 2000, while on his way home from work at the Sesser mine, Mr. Clayton was struck head on by a sports car traveling over 125 mph. He was airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where it was expected that would not survive. Against all odds, Mr. Clayton was released and made it home almost a year later.
Mr. Clayton is survived by his children, Lynn (Cassie) Laurent of Hillsboro, Byron (Sara) Laurent of Hillsboro and Bill Clayton of Vandalia, Elizabeth Keller of Springfield and Jeremy Heard of Springfield; grandchildren Hannah and Hailey Laurent, Amanda (fiance Christian Dorcey) van Girsen, Marissa (Kaleb) Walton, Zoe (Adam) Kuntzman, Gabrielle (Kevin) McGinn, Rita Gail McGinn, Seth (Omar) Clayton, Decan Clayton, Damien (Janessa) Heard, Gabriella Keller, Michael Keller Jr., Isabella Keller and Lillian Keller; five great-grandchildren; siblings Kenneth Clayton of Coffeen, Olin (Barb) Clayton of Raymond, Anita (Loy) Wahlsmith of Springville, TN, Yvonne Hicks of Pana, Jim (Lori) Clayton of Harvel, Lester (Darla) Clayton of Irving, Gail (Dave) Bradshaw of Witt and Janice (Brian) Volentine of Litchfield; 17 nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and second wife.
Condolences may be left online at calvertmemorial.com/location/mcclure.
