Mel Schwartz

URBANA — Mel Schwartz, 85, of Urbana died on Thursday (Nov. 23, 2017) at Kirby Medical Center Hospice Unit, Monticello.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Philo Road, Urbana. The Rev. Bob Rasmus will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, with military rites by the U.S. Navy and American Legion Post 71. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana.

Mr. Schwartz was born on Sept. 14, 1932, at Sidney, a son of Edgar and Flora (Block) Schwartz. He married Marlene Wienke at Broadlands on Oct. 24, 1954. She died in July 1993. He married Elizabeth Metz Moore at Urbana on Jan. 6, 1996. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Duane Schwartz and wife June of Urbana; two daughters, Karen Sturgeon and husband Mike of Sidney, and Susan Weiss and husband Terry of Ogden.

He was proud to be grandpa to grandsons, Dan (Hannah) Schwartz of New Lenox, Clint (Jessi) Schwartz of Milford, Dylan (Belinda) Sturgeon of Monticello, and granddaughter, Jaime Tabeling of Savoy, and a step-granddaughter, Yancey (Shane) Stewart of Georgia, and delighted to be great-grandpa to great-granddaughters, Olivia Schwartz, Ellie Jo Schwartz, Hailey Schwartz and Arianna Pappas, and great-grandsons, Trace Schwartz and Rowan Stewart.

Also surviving is one sister, Irene (Clay) Lofton of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond Schwartz; and sister, Arlene Schwartz Buhr.

Mr. Schwartz was raised in the Sidney area. He was employed at the Illinois Natural History Survey for 31 years and was head of the Administrative Financial Department and assistant to the chief when he retired in 1987. He operated a Tax Preparation Service business from his home until 2012.

He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 24 and the United Commercial Travelers No. 478. He served as UCT state president in 1985-86 and as UCT international supreme chaplain in 2002-03.

Mel was treasurer for the Prairie Winds Homeowners Association for 10 years.

He was active in scouting, Little League and softball programs in Urbana for many years.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954.

He enjoyed traveling, spending many winters in Florida, where he had a second home. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sarasota, Fla., when he was in Florida.

He loved and enjoyed his family. He was a good friend to many and a kind and gentle person. Always a smile! He will be missed dearly.

“Say not in grief ‘he is no more,’ but live in thankfulness that he was.”

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or to the Food Bank at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802, or the Food Bank at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista, Sarasota, FL 34239.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel. com.