Melvin Leroy Bricker, 85, of Calhoun, Illinois went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 25, 2017 after a short battle with cancer. He will be missed by the ones that were close to him and loved him most. Melvin was born June 23, 1932 in rural Richland County to Leonard and Mary (Shadley) Bricker.

He attended East Richland High School.  He married Mary Ellen Read on November 15, 1952, and she survives. Melvin had worked at Champion Labs in West Salem, IL until 1998 when he retired, and also for several area oil field companies in the Olney area where he worked as a Driller.

He enjoyed collecting owls, stamps, and coins, as well as playing several musical instruments which include guitar and organ. He also was a stock car racer in the late 1960's to late 1970's. He also enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting, as well as camping and enjoyed watching the various wildlife that would come by his home. Melvin was also a member of the West Salem Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife Mary Bricker; daughters: Loretta Kay Bricker and Carolyn Bone, both of Olney, and Phyllis (Rod) Poland of Sumner; sons: Samuel (Elizabeth) Bricker of Sumner and Michael Bricker of Olney; sisters: Maxine VanDyne of Orlando, Florida and Francine Howard of Evansville, Indiana; and one brother, Albert Lavan Bricker of Olney; nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters; and one great-great-grandson.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Mary Bricker; his mother and father-in-law (Ezra and Nettie Read); a brother-in-law, Clinton "Bud" Read; three sisters-in-law: Francis Mowrer, Geneva Hilliard, and Eva Hough; two grandsons: Eric Kiser and Eric Hinkle; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Services at Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg, Illinois.

Ingram Funeral Home, West Salem, IL – July 27, 2017