Ronald Mervin Cowles, 83, Clinton, died Saturday (Dec. 1, 2012) at home.

Interment will be private, with a memorial service at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Veterans Point Memorial, Weldon Springs Foundation Inc., in care of Weldon Springs State Park, 4734 Weldon Springs Road, Clinton, IL  61727. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge of arrangements

He was born Oct. 13, 1929, in Creek Township, DeWitt County, son of Irvin Ray Cowles (1896-1980) and Iva Arrilla Emery Cowles (1898-1989).

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold Cowles (1928-1985) and Donald Cowles (1929-2007); and two sisters, Imogene Blue (1924-2012) and Margie Allison (1927-2010).

He was a retired farmer, a member of Lane Christian Church and a U.S. Army veteran