Melvin Arthur Lewis' Obituary
DALTON CITY- Melvin Arthur Lewis, 84, of Cerro Gordo, formerly of Dalton City, passed away at 8:30 pm Friday, February 14, 2014 in Fair Havens Christian Home.
Funeral services to celebrate Mel’s life will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 in Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Masonic Funeral Rites will be performed prior to the services. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Burial will take place in Mt. Zion Township Cemetery, with Military Rites by the Cerro Gordo American Legion Post 117. Memorials are suggested to the Cerro Gordo American Legion, Shriner’s Hospital or to the National Parkinson Foundation.
Melvin was born May 23, 1929 in Effingham, IL, the son of Alfred and Noral (Carter) Lewis. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars awarded for acts of heroism. He was a member of the Dalton City American Legion Post 475 for 50 years then transferred to Cerro Gordo American Legion Post 117. Melvin owned and operated Mel’s Shell in Dalton City and worked as an Adjuster at Caterpillar before retiring. He had attended the Hidden Valley Community Church, was a 42 year member of the George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge 764, member of the D.A.V., past village board member of Dalton City. He married Lucille Stortzum on March 27, 1954 and she preceded him in death April 29, 2000. He then married Irma Sebright May 25, 2002.
He is survived by his wife Irma Lewis of Cerro Gordo; children; Vicki (Greg) Bradley of Mt. Zion; Steve (Cindy) Lewis of Mt. Zion; Melanie Lewis of Indian Rock Beach, FL. and Lynn Lewis of Plainsboro, N.J.; step-children, Glay (Dee) McMillen of Oakley; Rhonda Kokos of Peoria, Karen (Steve) Blickensderfer of Cerro Gordo and Traci (Nathan) Walsh of Cerro Gordo; grandchildren; Jason (Inesa) Bradley, Jamie Bradley, Ashley Lewis, Alex (fiancee Kelsey) Lewis and Blake Lewis; step grandchildren, Matt (Jessica) Bradley, Jackie (fiancée- Travis) Bradley, Marielle Kokos, Matthew Blickensderfer, Shelly (Zach) Braden, Whitney (Ryan) Keirl, Lindsey McMillen, Andrew Hauersperger, Dakota McMillen, Hailey Hauersperger, Mackenzie McMillen and Gavin Walsh; two great grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren, brother, Don Lewis of Ivesdale; sister, Athalien Melvin of Swansea, IL; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Lucille; brother, Delbert Lewis; sister, Ila Montague, and step daughter, Terri Fay Sebright.
The family of Melvin Arthur Lewis is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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