Merl Lee Searcy, 83, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2016 at his home in Lantana, Texas.  Merl was born on April 9, 1933 in Michigan City, Indiana, the son of Horace Elver and Helen Westphal Searcy.
Merl graduated from Northwestern University in 1955 with a degree in business.  He was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, and was a starting offensive tackle for the Wildcat Football Team. He then played football for the USAF at Boling Air Force Base, finishing his football career playing professionally for the Saskatchon Roughriders. He later became a sales rep for B.F. Goodrich and Chicago Industrial Rubber Company.  Merl enjoyed his time as a youth football coach for many years and was involved with the Geneva All Sports Boosters.
He is preceded in death by his brother Ron, his sister Juanita, and his parents. Merl is survived by his wife of 57 years Mary Ellen; sons Brian and wife Heather of Lantana, TX, Mark and wife Linda of Geneva Illinois, and Todd of Tucson Arizona; Merl is also survived by ten grandchildren, Alissa, Brooke, Madison, Cameron, Jordyn, Devin, Kirsten, Tanner, Kaitlyn and Jillian Mustico.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or the American Cancer Society.