Melvin E. Rademacker

Melvin Eugene Rademacker 87, of 308 South Washington St. Manito, died at home Monday, May 4, 2015.He was born September 7, 1927 in Natrona, Illinois to John George and Katie Jibben Rademacker.Katie died December 21, 1928.His father later married Helen Weiss who became a very important part of Mel's life. Mel went to school in Natrona and San Jose, graduating from Green Valley High School in 1946.Following high school, he first worked as a milk tester for Soldwedel's in Pekin and then farmed northwest of Green Valley until 1985.He also worked at the East Peoria Caterpillar Plant from 1966 to 1990 and was in the National Guard for three years.Following retirement from farming and Caterpillar, Mel enjoyed working at Fahnder's Auction until it closed. He married Eileen Jones from London, England on September 27, 1951 and they had three children; Jeffrey (Vina) Rademacker of Mt. Sterling, Mari (David) Osborne of Spring Lake, and Christine (Denis) Blackstun of Missoula, Montana.There are six grandchildren; Gabriel Rademacker, Eric Crawford, and Terra Fuller of Pekin; Kaci Osborne of Peoria; and Zachary and Sawyer Blackstun of Missoula, Montana.There are six great-grandchildren; Austin Mitchell of Creve Coeur; and Madison Travis, Bowan Lindsay, DeVonne, Gavin, and Jaylan Fuller all of Pekin. Mel married Ruth Keyes in Mt. Sterling on December 29, 1973 and they resided near Green Valley until moving to Manito in 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister Hilda and is survived by one sister Florine Hazard of Mason City and two brothers; Don (Betty) of Pekin and Fred (Gayle) of Green Valley. Mel excelled in sports whether it was baseball, bowling, basketball or horseshoes.In 1995 to practice his golf swing, he constructed a makeshift golf course between the barn, electrical substation and corn bin.Using PVC pipe to form seven holes around the barn lot, he marked each with a broom handle topped with red ribbon, smoothing out the 'Greens' (crab grass and dandelions) with a weed whacker.All ages enjoyed playing that Course. A few years later, Mel became active in Senior Olympics, expanding his sports repertoire to shot put, discus, the long jump and broad jump.The family had a hard time keeping up with Grandpa Mel.He was a joy for all who knew him. Services will be at Henderson Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2015, with Rev. Michael Brown presiding.Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at Henderson Funeral Home.Cremation will be done following the service.Burial of ashes will be in Green Hill Cemetery near San Jose. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Children's Hospital of Illinois or the donor's choice. To express condolences online go to www.hendersonfuneralcare.com. The following are words Mel always lived by in his treatment toward others: Love is patient, love is kind.It does not envy, it does not boast.It is not proud.It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.It is not easily angered.It keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 This is my simple religion.There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple, the philosophy is kindness.The Dalai Lama Cemetery Green Hill Cemetery 137 County Rd. 2600 N San Jose,IL Service Thursday, May 7, 2015 11:00 AM delete Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Wednesday, May 6, 2015 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM delete Pekin,IL 61554