Dale R. Mellendorf (86) of Dieterich

Dale R. Mellendorf, 86, of Dieterich, IL, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church on the Effingham-Clay County Line, Louisville, IL, with burial in the church cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church and from 9:00 a.m. until prior to the service Friday also at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Louisville, Laborers For Christ, and Lutheran Care Center. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Dale was born on October 24, 1932, in Lucas Township, Effingham County, IL, the son of Walter and Louise (Dammerman) Mellendorf. He was baptized on November 6, 1932 and confirmed on April 14, 1946 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Louisville, IL. Dale was united in marriage to Irma Lee Hammer on June 30, 1957 at St. Paul’s (Blue Point) Lutheran Church.

Dale attended St. John‘s Lutheran one-room grade school through 8th grade and then went to Effingham High School, where he graduated in 1950. He was drafted into the Army in 1953 and had his military training in Fort Bliss, TX in heavy artillery. He spent one year in Niagara Falls, New York and one year in Thule, Greenland. Dale operated the family dairy farm for 33 years. He did mission work for Laborers For Christ through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for 23 years working in 20 different states building churches, schools, and campgrounds. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he held several offices. He was a member of the Dieterich American Legion Post 628 for 45 years and served in most offices. He spent 8 years on the Board of Education for Dieterich Unit 30. In 1971, Dale was elected as Lucas Township Highway Commissioner and held this position for 8 years. He was also a 4-H leader for many years.

Dale is survived by his wife, Irma Mellendorf of Dieterich; children, Kent (Janice) Mellendorf of Louisville, Keith (Angela) Mellendorf of Jewett, Scott (Jane) Mellendorf of Montrose, Steve (Judy) Mellendorf of Marseilles, IL, and twins, Brenda (Douglas) Wendling of Effingham and Glenda (Gary) Bartels of St. Elmo; 11 grandchildren, Michelle, Tracy, Mark, Kimberly, Andrew, Emily, Jennifer, Shelly, Trevor, Lucas, and Garrett; 13 great-grandchildren, Brady, Levi, Piper, Tripp, Elijah, Adalida, Mackenzie, Kaden, Madison, Simon, Aria, Amara, and Aspen; 6 step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Floyd (Mary Lou) Mellendorf of Springfield, and Phyllis Will of Altamont; and brother-in-law, Leo Stuckemeyer of Altamont.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Viola Stuckemeyer; and brother-in-law, Alvin Will.