Robert Lee Melton

Robert “Bob” Lee Melton, 88 of Centralia, passed away Monday, January 25, 2016 at Friendship Manor Nursing Home in Nashville, Illinois.He was born September 29, 1927 in Centralia, son of Claude Melton and Mable Faye (Henson) Melton. He married Wanda Brandol on February 14, 1950 and she preceded him in death on December 27, 1989.He is survived by three daughters: Carol Crenshaw and husband Tom of Centralia, Gina Ritchey of Liberty, Missouri, and Annette Ivers and husband Dennis of Mt. Vernon; seven grandchildren: Amy Siegrist and husband Chris of Carrollton, Texas, Jason Sanders and wife Beth of Centralia, Emily Rheinhardt and husband Drew of Henderson, KY, Caryn Crenshaw of Centralia, Thomas Jack Crenshaw of Centralia, Lori Riedel and husband John of Liberty, Missouri, Megan Ivers of Springfield, Illinois and Ryan Ivers of Mt. Vernon; seven great-grandchildren: Zachary Siegrist, Aaron Siegrist, Justin Sanders, Austin Sanders, Nicholas Riedel, Jacob Riedel and Reed Rheinhardt; two sisters: LaDonne Leyerle of Pennsylvania and Beverly Jeffries of Florida; several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother, William Melton and a sister, Juanita Duff.Mr. Melton lived most of his life in Centralia except for a brief time in Fulton, KY and Paducah, KY. He attended Washington Grade School, Centralia Township High School, Centralia Junior College and Washington University. In 1945 he enlisted in the United States Air Force in the Airways and Air Communication Service. He later worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as a Locomotive Engineer for 35 years.He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church. He helped with the flower gardens at the church and delivered food and flowers to the nursing homes and homebound members. He was an avid music lover especially choral, classical and the masters. He participated in many sports including: organized softball, basketball, football in Granite City, and in the Golden Glove boxing tournament while stationed in Germany in 1948.Funeral Services for Robert “Bob” Melton will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Allan Mason officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Military Honors will be accorded at the gravesite by the American Legion Post 446 and the VFW Post 2055. Visitation will be held Friday, January 29, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home and also, Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Untied Presbyterian Church or to Relay for Life and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, which is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Robert Lee Melton

September 29, 1927 - January 25, 2016