Alma Lee Merrifield, 89, of Champaign went to be with her Lord and Savior at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel in Urbana. Pastor Randy Boltinghouse will officiate. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana.

Alma was born in Sadorus, IL on January 27, 1927 to parents Benjamin and Leona (Fox) Miller. They preceded her in death. On March 24, 1945 she married Francis E. Merrifield at the Champaign Church of the Brethren. He passed away on November 20, 2014. Also preceding her in death was her son, Russell Merrifield, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her children; Carl Merrifield of Las Vegas, NV, Diana Stauffer (Jim) of Omaha, NE, Saundra Gardner (John) of Goshen, IN Karen Baer (Dale) of Springville, UT and Kevin Merrifield (Lisa) of Champaign. Ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren also survive her.

Alma was a graduate of Champaign High School, after school she worked as a cashier for WT Grant and a head cashier for Sears, retiring after twenty-eight years. She was a charter member of Windsor Road Christian Church where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and being involved in The Missions Ministry and Harvest for Hunger. Alma also volunteered at Meals on Wheels and Project Read at Urbana Adult Education Center.

She was thoughtful and gracious; she was aware of people's struggles and would be there with a helping hand. She had the amazing ability to empathize with others and was always there to offer love and guidance.

She loved flowers, gardening and making homemade jellies for her family and friends. Alma was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother and adored her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Windsor Road Christian Church.