Melvin Wehmeyer

THEBES, Ill. -- Melvin Raymond Wehmeyer, 81, of Thebes died Thursday, July 27, 2006, at his home.

He was born Oct. 7, 1924, in Thebes, the third child of Frederick John and Pearl Van Dyck Wehmeyer. Melvin and JoAnn Sickler were married Dec. 20, 1952, in Piggott, Ark. She survives.

He was a farmer in the Thebes area, and an industrial and home interior painter in Missouri and Illinois. He took pride in the industrial projects he helped paint, like the old Mississippi River Bridge at Cape Girardeau, Ohio Bridge at Cairo, Ill., old Busch Stadium in St. Louis, and many more.

He was a member of Painters Local 1292 in Cape Girardeau since November 1953. He had served on the health and welfare board as a trustee for many years and was vice president 13 years. Prior to his retirement in 1994, he was employed by Loyd Slinkard Painting Co. in Cape Girardeau.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, watching wild deer play, and wildflowers bloom on his farm. He attended Olive Branch First Free Will Baptist Church regularly. Some of his other hobbies included fishing, word puzzles, and listening to country and gospel music.

He is survived by a son, Kevin Wehmeyer of Thebes; a daughter, Sheila Echols (Paul) of Murphysboro, Ill.; four grandchildren, Melonie Phillips (Bobby) of Oran, Mo., Shannon Wehmeyer Dow of Benton, Mo., Jarrod and Morgan L. Echols, both of Murphysboro; two brothers, Frederick J. Wehmeyer Sr. of Murphysboro, Robert Winston Wehmeyer (Blanche) of Thebes; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Larry Gene and Rodney Raymond Wehmeyer, and a sister, Virginia Fern Thompson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Curtis Alderson and the Rev. Earnest Brown officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes.