Melvin Lee "Mel" Gerdes, age 84, of Mendon, died Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 4:02 pm in Blessing Hospital.

Mel was born April 21, 1938 in Golden, Illinois, the son of Henry and Anna Leenerts Gerdes. He married Cindy Lepper Timmerwilke on July 27, 1984 in Quincy. She survives.

Mel began working as a farmer as a teenager. He has worked for both Alvin Post and Junk Brothers. Then in 1965, he was hired at Speedrack as a welder. Eventually, he moved into maintenance, where he would stay for the next 20 years. In 1985, Mel moved to R.P.&G. Rack Builders, where he was employed as a press operator. In 1993, he moved to Konstant Products, where he worked until his retirement in 2010.

Mel liked to travel in his spare time. He particularly enjoyed his annual summer visits to Hog Back and his travels through the mountains in Tennessee. Mel was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting. Duck hunting was his specialty, although he tried his luck at turkey hunting as well.

Mel and Cindy loved spending time together, and they both pitched horseshoes on a mixed couples league at the Moose Lodge. They also played pool in mixed couples leagues, and enjoyed dancing to country music.

Most of all, Mel loved spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Cindy, survivors include three children: Roger Melvin Gerdes of Golden, IL; Alan Wayne (Dianna) Gerdes of Camp Point, IL; and Tammy Sue Gerdes of Camp Point, IL; a step-daughter, Annette Marie (Timmerwilke) England of Quincy; three grandchildren: Matthew Gerdes of Kahoka, MO; Andrew Gerdes of Golden, IL; and Nicole Feldkamp of LaGrange, MO; four step-grandchildren: Dana (Daniel) Howell of Mt. Sterling, IL; Daniel (Lacy) White of Kinderhook, IL; Daven (Abbey) White of Mendon, IL; and Autumn England of Quincy, IL; and numerous great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Dorothy Passley, Vera Marie Oenning, and Velda June Beebe; and two brothers: Lawrence and Leroy Gerdes.

Services: 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Rev. Thomas Graves officiating.

Burial: Golden Community Cemetery, Golden, IL

Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home

Memorial donations may be made to Blessing Foundation for Hospice. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com

www.hansenspear.com


Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.