Merlin Johnson Tobias, 90, of Carthage, IL, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the
Golden Good Shepherd Home in Golden, IL.
Merlin was born on February 1, 1935, at his home in rural Basco, IL. He was the son of Onno
and Matilda (Paben) Tobias. He graduated from Carthage High School and went on to get a
degree at Western Illinois University. On February 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Anna
Ramah Evans at the Mendon Congregational Church in Mendon, IL. Merlin spent a combined
40 years teaching in the West Point, Sutter, and Warsaw school districts until he retired. Merlin
loved to read. You could often find him reading multiple books at the same time. He served on
the Farm Bureau Board for many years. He was a leader of the 4H Club, Gideons International,
and Worthen Earth Searchers. Merlin was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and
served on the Basco fireworks committee. After retirement, Merlin worked for Bear Creek
Custom Mill Works.
Merlin is survived by his children; Becca Ruggiero, Keenan Tobias, Kent (Sandy) Tobias, Debra
(Mark) Twaddle, and Kory (Andrea Hapke) Tobias; his grandchildren, Roxanne Tobias, Orinda
(Jeff) Gillham, Spencer (Keely Walker) Twaddle, Ryan Twaddle, Katherine Twaddle, and Kari
Tobias; his great grandchildren, Lyle Gillham, Charlotte Gillham, Jake Tobias-Moore, and Evey
Tobias-Moore.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Anna Ramah Tobias, his son in law, Rick
Ruggiero, and his grandson, Justin Tobias.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran
Church with burial to follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in rural Carthage. A visitation will
be held on Friday, February 14, from 4 - 7 pm at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage. Memorials
may be made out to the Golden Good Shepherd Home, Blessing Hospice, or Immanuel
Lutheran Church. Printy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.