Obituary of Merle Alphonse Hoebing

Merle Alphonse Hoebing, age 83, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2025, at Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.  Merle was born in Quincy, IL, on August 18, 1941, to the late Alois and Gertrude (nee Schaich) Hoebing. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. Following his service, Merle took a job with the Illinois Department of Corrections and worked for the Joliet Prison for over 30 years before retiring.  Merle was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed camping and fishing, and family trips to many of the country’s national parks.  He also enjoyed going for rides on his motorcycle. Merle was a loving father and grandfather, a devout Christian, and his greatest joy in life was time spent with his family and friends.

Merle is survived by his three children, Andrea (Jose Salas- Rodriguez) Hoebing-Salas, Joshua Hoebing, and Matthew Hoebing; his grandchildren, Justyn (Chris Hopkins) Rivera, Michael Anthony Salas, Michael Joshua Hoebing, Jessica Carah Hoebing, Daisy May Hoebing, and Hailey Elizabeth Hoebing; and many dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Raymond Hoebing, Rosella Hoebing-Neasta, and Delores Hoebing; and a grandson in infancy, Jose Alejandro Salas.

Visitation for Merle Alphonse Hoebing will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black (at Essington) Rd., Joliet Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 15, 2025, starting at the funeral home chapel at 10:15 a.m. and processing to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church for Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL, where Merle will receive full military honors. For more information, please call 815-741-5500, or to leave an online condolence, visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.