Paul H. Melzer Obituary (1930 - 2017)

Paul H. Melzer, 86, of Decatur passed away peacefully on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Imboden Creek Living Center. A service to celebrate and honor Pauls life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the funeral home. Paul will be laid to rest next to his wife and twin sons Kent and Kevin at Mackville Cemetery, Atwood, IL. Memorials can be made to Elwin United Methodist Church. Paul was born on August 9, 1930 in Taylorville, IL the son of Conrad P. and Lora (Daugherty) Melzer. He married Betty Gail Green on November 27, 1957. Paul was a member of South Shores United Methodist Church and most recently was a member of Elwin United Methodist Church. He worked for and later retired from Firestone in 1992. Paul served in the U.S. Army and was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #684. Paul was an avid fan of the Decatur Pride Softball Team, Los Angeles Dodgers and the University of Illinois-Basketball. In his spare time he enjoyed walking at the D.I.S.C., bowling in his church league, gardening and spending time with his family. Surviving are his children: Brenda Melzer Barone of Chicago, IL and Jeffrey P. Melzer and his wife Janet of Decatur, IL; two brothers: Robert Melzer of Stonington, IL and Gerald (Shirley) Melzer of Decatur, IL; four grandchildren: Jared and his wife Valerie, Marisa and her husband Cory, Drake and Gabriella; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, twin sons, four sisters and five brothers. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. William B. Franklin and the nurses and staff at Imboden Creek Living Center. Our hearts are broken but he is whole now and his soul is making its way towards the sky and the sun and stars and all that shines just like he did Marisa I see little bits of Grandpas spirit in my whole family and the amazing thing is that none of us would be anything without him and now we get to move forward and show our goofiness and determination that we got from him to everyone Gabriella We want to see this as a celebration of his life because it definitely was one to be celebrated Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.