Published on July 12, 2026 5:44 pm
Last Updated on July 13, 2026 5:00 pm
Melba J. (Bartels) Lawrence, 94, of Effingham, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Mullen Baptist Church in Montrose, with burial to follow in Oakridge Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham and for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Mullen Baptist Church or the Lighthouse Pregnancy Center in Vandalia.
Melba was born on January 31, 1932, in Altamont, the daughter of Charles and Bessie (Jones) Austin. She married Monroe Bartels on March 18, 1950, and together they shared 47 years of marriage before his passing in 1997. She later married James H. “Jim” Lawrence on May 19, 2000, and he preceded her in death in 2023. A devoted homemaker, Melba found her greatest joy in caring for her family. She attended Mullen Baptist Church.
She is lovingly remembered by her children, Monte (Shirley) Bartels of Shumway, Jim (Patti) Bartels of Effingham, Sheryl (Troy) Kyle of Shumway, and Janis (Steve) Holste of Altamont; her daughter-in-law, Glenda Bartels of St. Elmo; as well as 24 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husbands; her son, Gary Bartels; brothers, Charles E. Austin, William “Dutch” Austin, and Marvin Austin; and her grandson, Greg Thompson.