Carl W. Friedland

   Carl W. Friedland, 87, of Mascoutah, IL, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, at Brightly Senior Living.

   Carl was born on Nov. 7, 1938, in Madison, Wisconsin to Carl and Carol nee McMahon, Friedland.

   Carl attended Madison East High School. After school he would hang out with his classmates at the local soda fountain, then go home and practice sports. At a young age he learned the value of hard work, working as a produce manager, paper boy, and clerk at A & P grocery store. Later in life he attended Belleville Area College and earned two associates degrees.

   Carl established his career in 1958, by joining the Air Force. He achieved the highest NCO rank of Chief Master Sergeant and was the respected Superintendent of the SAFB Dental Clinic. His tours of duty were in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and overseas in the Philippines and South Korea. Dad loved his country and it gave him great joy to serve it. After retirement he worked at Southwestern Illinois College as Veterans Service Coordinator.

   Carl met the love of his life, Merly, at a 1966 New Year’s Eve party. Carl proposed to Merly that night, but she didn’t believe him. Every Friday, Merly became the recipient of a dozen red roses. After ten months, they married on November 10, 1967, in the Philippines.

   He was preceded in death by parents, Carl and Carol, nee McMahon, Friedland; brother, Steven, granddaughter, Ashley, and great-granddaughter, Shiloh; four brothers-in-law, Dave Hults, Stanley, Benildes, and Mauricio Tubao; two sisters-in-law, Tessie and Romina Tubao, two nephews, Peter Friedland and Greg Schultz.

   He is survived by his wife, Merly, nee Tubao, Friedland; daughters, Carrie (Harold) Wallach, Carla (Barry) Schadegg, Carol (Patrick) Barry; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Matt) Linker, Alex (Abbey Kelso) Wallach, Annie (Kyle Kabance) Wallach, Dalton Willyard, Mitchell (Jessica) Willyard, Emily (Ben) Brown, Ryan (Theresa Nguyen) Barry, Will Barry; three great-grandsons, Isaac and Clark Linker, and Ezra Brown; siblings, Pete (Cathy) Friedland, Pat Hults, Cheri (Bob) Lytle; brothers-in-laws Daniel, Benchito and Lemuel Tubao, sisters-in-law, Paulina Tubao and Evelyn Regalado, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many others he loved, as well as his beloved dog, Ava.

   Carl had a great faith in and love for Jesus Christ and was devoted to his church family. He was a founding member of St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, congregational president and primary caretaker.

   Carl was a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, and Air Force Association.

   As a longtime resident of the community, Carl established many strong relationships and was loved by those who came to know him. He was known as the man who took the early morning walks and sat with his buddies for morning coffee at Sax Speedi Check. He was also the “mystery man,” placing newspapers on the doorsteps of many in town.

   He made many friends at Sax Speedi Check, Mascoutah Animal Hospital, First Federal Savings Bank, Ace Hardware, Ahmed’s Gas Station, and the police officers knew him by name.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church, 1190 N. Sixth St., Mascoutah, IL 62258.

   Visitation: From 4 to 7 PM Friday, May 8, 2026, at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah and 10 to 10:30 AM Saturday, May 9, 2026, at St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church.

   Funeral: A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, May 9, 2026, at St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church.

   He was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend and will be fiercely missed.