Melvin L. Paul
Melvin L. Paul met his Lord and Savior peacefully on February 12, 2022, in the home where he was born. He was surrounded by his family. Melvin was a kind, loving and supportive husband. He was a generous and compassionate father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed.
Melvin was raised in the Tilden Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Trustee. While serving as a Trustee, Melvin assisted in the building of the first educational building. The Church was a lifelong passion of his.
Melvin enjoyed community service. He served on the school boards of the rural Dickey School and later on the Tilden School Board. He was on the 1st Tilden Fire District Board, where he was honored for serving 25 years as a Trustee of the Tilden Fire Department. Melvin was a Washington County Farm Bureau member since 1949 and served on the Washington County Water Board for 15 years. He loved making a difference in the lives of others.
At the age of 15, Melvin became a dairy farmer. He shipped his milk to Prairie Farms Dairy for 53 years. During his career, Melvin developed a top-quality registered herd of Holsteins that received Grade “A” recognition. Melvin took great pride in his work and in supporting his family.
Travel was one of Melvin’s favorite life activities. He made a week or 10-day vacation a priority each summer. His travels covered trips to National Parks and old car museums, where he also collected a number of his own. Melvin made multiple trips to Alaska, where he had invested in a piece of the Land of the Midnight Sun. He embedded the joy of travel into his children and grandchildren.
Melvin married Joanne Moody Paul on August 12, 1949 and had celebrated 72 years this past August. They had 5 children: Mellanie (Bill) Portz, Rebecca Paul, Michael (Thom Sweeney) Paul; Melinda and Martin proceeded him in death, 5 grandchildren: Brent (Kim) Portz, Brooke Portz (Dan Lehman), Brad (Lynn) Portz, Skylar (Paige) Paul, Marissa (Dylan) Krueger; 9 great grandchildren: Kade, Bree, Brock and Kylan Portz, Chance and Reese Lehman, Kallie and Mille Portz, Kamdyn and Bretsyn Paul, and Hatcher Krueger.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, February 18, 2022, at Tilden Presbyterian Church, Tilden, IL, with Reverend Dr. Dennis Hamilton officiating. Burial to follow at Marissa Township Cemetery, Marissa, IL. Friends and family may call from 9 – 11 am, at the church. The preferred form of remembrance will be to the Tilden Presbyterian Church and can be mailed to Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288. The family is being assisted by Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville, IL. To sign the guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net. Due to executive orders, current COVID guidelines will be followed.
