Melvin Leroy “Jack” Weller
Melvin Leroy “Jack” Weller, 98, formerly of East Alton, died at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at the Eunice C. Smith Nursing Home in Alton.
He was born Jan. 4, 1916, in Kane, the son to the late Christopher and Cora (Burch) Weller.
Jack served in the U.S. Army and was wounded in the Normandy Invasion during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was a 50-plus year member of the VFW.
He began Troop No. 59 of the Boy Scouts of America in Jerseyville. During his years at Shell Oil Co, he also did auctioneering in the area, retiring in 1978.
Jack was a member of the Wood River First United Methodist Church and later the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Rosewood Heights, where he belonged to the entertainment group “Sweet Sounds,” which ministers to the elderly. Jack had been an avid fisherman and amateur photographer.
Following the death of his beloved wife, Katherine (Robinson) Weller, he met and married Londa (Williams) Cook. She survives in Bethalto.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Gordon and Carla Weller of Rochester, Minn.; three stepsons and a daughter-in-law, the Rev. Charles L. McKnelly of Hong Kong, Lance McKnelly of Kimberling City, Mo., and Darryl and Vicki McKnelly of O’Fallon, Mo.; two grandchildren, Shaun Weller and his fiancée, Cheryl Ott and Nicole and her husband, Jacob Moreland; four grandchildren, Brendan and Brooklyn Weller and Tyler and Talon Moreland; and a sister, Kathryn Shoemaker of LaVerne, Calif.
Besides his first wife and parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Louis, Robert, Ronald and Dale Weller; and two sisters, Rozella Wainwright and Hazel Liles.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services at noon Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Paynic Home for Funerals. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville with military honors by VFW Post 1308 Ritual Team.
Memorials may be made to Wood River First UMC or St. Paul UMC.
Online information and guestbook may be found at www.paynicfh.com.